With Renault’s new V8 engine not due to debut until January, the team will use a detuned V10 in their forthcoming Spanish tests in order to simulate predicted power levels for next season.

Renault hope the move will ensure the best possible start to their Michelin tyre development programme, which gets underway with a three-day session in Barcelona from November 30.

"Everybody is very keen to get back on track," explained Renault’s chassis technical director, Bob Bell. "We want to pick up and carry on exactly where we left off on Sunday in Shanghai."

Leading the team’s driver line-up in Barcelona, and in their subsequent 2005 Jerez tests, will be Frenchman Franck Montagny, in his final sessions with Renault. Sharing the workload will be Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen, the man widely expected to succeed Montagny as the team’s official test driver.

There will also be a number of one-off outings for up and coming drivers. 2005 World Series by Renault champion, Robert Kubica, will get his first taste of Formula One power, as will the 2004 Renault V6 winner Giorgio Mondini.

Renault race drivers Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella will run for just one day each before Christmas to acclimatise to the reduced power levels, ahead of intensive testing with the new R26 and its RS26 V8 in the New Year.