Renault Alpine A442

Renault Alpine A442/A443

The Renault Alpine A442B, wearing the bubble canopy.
CategoryGroup 6 sports prototype
ConstructorAlpine/Renault
Designer(s)François Castaing
Bernard Dudot
PredecessorAlpine A441
SuccessorAlpine A424
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium-reinforced steel spaceframe
Suspension (front)Double wishbone
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone
EngineRenault-Gordini 1997 cc 90° V6 turbo, mid-mounted
TransmissionHewland TL200 5-speed manual
FuelElf
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsRenault Sport
Notable driversFrance Gérard Larrousse
France Jean-Pierre Jabouille
France Henri Pescarolo
South Africa Jody Scheckter
France Didier Pironi
France Jean-Pierre Jaussaud
France Patrick Tambay
France Jacques Laffite
France Jean-Pierre Jarier
United Kingdom Derek Bell
France René Arnoux
Debut1975 Mugello 1000 km
WinsF/Laps
21

The Renault Alpine A442 (also known as the Alpine Renault A442 [1]) is a sports prototype racing car, designed and built by Alpine, but funded and powered by Alpine's owners Renault, specifically to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Variants were entered for the event in 1976, 1977 and 1978. An A442B finally won the race on the third occasion, in the hands of Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud. Also entered in 1978 was the updated Renault Alpine A443 model; essentially an A442 chassis, but powered by a new 2138 cc engine. Following this all-French victory in the premier French motorsport event, Renault withdrew from sports car racing to concentrate their efforts in Formula One.