Renault in Formula One

Renault
Full nameRenault Formula 1 Team
BaseViry-Châtillon, Essonne, France (1977–1985)
Enstone, Oxfordshire, England, UK (2002–2011, 2016–2020)[N 1]
Noted staffBernard Dudot
Jean Sage
Patrick Faure
Bob Bell
Éric Boullier
Alain Dassas
Alan Permane
James Allison
Flavio Briatore
Mike Gascoyne
John Iley
Steve Nielsen
Pat Symonds
Dino Toso
Dirk de Beer
Frédéric Vasseur
Rob White
Cyril Abiteboul
Noted driversSpain Fernando Alonso
France Alain Prost
France René Arnoux
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella
France Jean-Pierre Jabouille
Italy Jarno Trulli
Previous nameBenetton Formula
(1986–2001)
Lotus F1 Team
(2012–2015)
Next nameAlpine F1 Team
Formula One World Championship career
First entry1977 British Grand Prix
Last entry2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races entered403 (400 starts)
EnginesRenault
Constructors'
Championships
2 (2005, 2006)
Drivers'
Championships
2 (2005, 2006)
Race victories35
Podiums103
Points1777
Pole positions51
Fastest laps33
Renault as a Formula One engine manufacturer
Formula One World Championship career
First entry1977 British Grand Prix
Last entry2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix
Races entered748 (745 starts)
ChassisRenault, Lotus, Ligier, Tyrrell, Williams, Benetton, Red Bull, Lotus (2011), Lotus (2012–14), Caterham, Toro Rosso, McLaren, Alpine
Constructors' Championships12 (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)[N 2]
Drivers'
Championships
11 (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)[N 3]
Race victories169[N 4]
Podiums465
Points8190.5
Pole positions213
Fastest laps177

Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods since 1977.[1] In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One with its EF1 engine. In 1983, Renault began supplying engines to other teams.[2] Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985.[3] Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.

Renault returned to Formula One in 1989 as an engine manufacturer. It won five drivers' titles and six constructors' titles between 1992 and 1997 with Williams and Benetton, before ending its works involvement after 1997, though their engines continued to be used without works backing until 2000.

In 2000, Renault acquired the Enstone-based Benetton Formula team (formerly Toleman).[4] Renault became a works engine manufacturer again in 2001, and in 2002 the Enstone-based team was re-branded as Renault. The team won the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2005 and 2006.[5]

By 2011, Renault had sold its shares in the Enstone-based team, though it continued to use the Renault chassis name in 2011.[6] Renault remained in the sport as an engine manufacturer, winning four drivers' and constructors' titles with Red Bull Racing between 2010 and 2013.

The company bought the Enstone-based team again in 2016 and re-branded it as Renault.[7] The team did not win in the following five seasons and was re-branded as Alpine in 2021 with the Renault marque remaining as engine manufacturer.[8]

As a team owner, Renault has won two constructors' and drivers' championships, while as an engine manufacturer it has 12 constructors' and 11 drivers' championships. It has collected over 160 wins as engine supplier, ranking fourth in Formula One history.[9]


Cite error: There are <ref group=N> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=N}} template (see the help page).

  1. ^ Richmond, Duke Of (20 March 2019). "Inside the Renault F1 team". DriveTribe. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  2. ^ "1983 F1 Teams List: See all Constructors & Driver Line-up info". F1-Fansite.com. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Renault Sport F1 Team // Formula 1 team". Sidepodcast. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Benetton Group – Corporate Website". www.benettongroup.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Renault F1 team – history, information and links". RaceFans. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Group Lotus Buys 2011 Formula 1 Entry From Renault". Motor Authority. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Renault to return to F1 in 2016 after agreeing Lotus takeover". The Guardian. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ "What Alpine rebrand means for Renault and F1 – our verdict". The Race. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  9. ^ Tamber, Vismaad (23 March 2020). "The 8 Greatest F1 Engine manufacturers of All Time". DriveTribe. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.