Renault in Formula One
Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods since 1977. 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. Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985. Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.
| Full name | Renault Formula 1 Team |
|---|---|
| Base | Viry-Châtillon, Essonne, France (1977–1985) Enstone, Oxfordshire, England, UK (2002–2011, 2016–2020) |
| Noted staff | Bernard 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 drivers | Fernando Alonso Alain Prost René Arnoux Giancarlo Fisichella Jean-Pierre Jabouille Jarno Trulli |
| Previous name | Benetton Formula (1986–2001) Lotus F1 Team (2012–2015) |
| Next name | Alpine F1 Team |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| First entry | 1977 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
| Races entered | 403 (400 starts) |
| Engines | Renault |
| Constructors' Championships | 2 (2005, 2006) |
| Drivers' Championships | 2 (2005, 2006) |
| Race victories | 35 |
| Podiums | 103 |
| Points | 1777 |
| Pole positions | 51 |
| Fastest laps | 33 |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
|---|---|
| First entry | 1977 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
| Races entered | 726 (723 starts) |
| Chassis | Renault, Lotus, Ligier, Tyrrell, Williams, Benetton, Red Bull, Lotus (2011), Lotus (2012–14), Caterham, Toro Rosso, McLaren, Alpine |
| Constructors' Championships | 12 (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) |
| Drivers' Championships | 11 (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) |
| Race victories | 169 |
| Podiums | 463 |
| Points | 8141.5 |
| Pole positions | 213 |
| Fastest laps | 176 |
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). 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.
By 2011, Renault had sold its shares in the Enstone-based team, though it continued to use the Renault chassis name in 2011. Renault remained in the sport as an engine manufacturer, winning four drivers' and constructors' titles with Red Bull Racing in 2010–2013.
The company bought the Enstone-based team again in 2016 and re-branded it as Renault. The team didn't win in the following five seasons and was re-branded as Alpine in 2021 with the Renault marque remaining as engine manufacturer.
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.