Renault has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods from 1977 to 2025. Since 2021 it has fielded a factory-backed team, Alpine, which previously competed under the Renault name.
Renault in Formula One at a glance
| First entry | 1977, as a constructor |
|---|---|
| Engine | EF1 turbocharged V6 |
| Engine supply | from 1983 |
| First withdrawal | end of 1985 |
| Return | 1989 as an engine manufacturer |
| Titles 1992–1997 | five drivers’ and six constructors’ with Williams and Benetton |
| Enstone team | Benetton acquired in 2000, renamed Renault in 2002 |
| Titles | 2005 and 2006 with Renault; 2010–2013 with Red Bull |
| Current team | Alpine, since 2021 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on Renault in Formula One.
History of the Renault in Formula One
Bringing the turbo
In 1977 Renault entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to the sport with its EF1 engine. In 1983 it began supplying engines to other teams. Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985, and Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.
The engine supplier years
Renault returned in 1989 as an engine manufacturer and won five drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles between 1992 and 1997 with Williams and Benetton, before ending its works involvement after 1997; its engines continued to be used without works backing until 2000.
The Enstone team
In 2000 Renault acquired the Enstone-based Benetton Formula team, formerly Toleman. It became a works engine manufacturer again in 2001 and in 2002 the Enstone team was rebranded as Renault, winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2005 and 2006. By 2011 Renault had sold its shares in the Enstone team, though it continued to use the Renault chassis name that year. It stayed in the sport as an engine manufacturer, winning four drivers’ and constructors’ titles with Red Bull Racing between 2010 and 2013. Since 2021 the factory team has raced as Alpine.
Design and features
- Turbo pioneer: introduced the turbocharged engine to Formula One in 1977.
- Title-winning engines: championships with Williams, Benetton and Red Bull.
- Enstone ownership: the former Toleman and Benetton team bought in 2000.
- Alpine era: the works team renamed Alpine from 2021.
Renault in Formula One versions
- Renault EF1 (1977): the first turbocharged Formula One engine.
- Williams and Benetton era (1992–1997): eleven titles as an engine supplier.
- Renault works team (2002–2011): titles in 2005 and 2006.
- Alpine (2021–): the current factory team name.
Renault’s championship cars are described on the Renault R25 and R26 pages, and its first turbo winner on the Renault RS10 page, while the junior classes are covered in Formula Renault. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.
Sources
- Renault in Formula One, English Wikipedia: teams, engines, titles, Alpine
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