The Renault RE20 was a Formula One car raced by Renault in the 1980 season, designed by François Castaing and Michel Têtu with ground-effect aerodynamics and the 1.5-litre turbocharged Renault Gordini EF1 engine.
Renault RE20 at a glance
| Team | Renault, 1980 Formula One season |
|---|---|
| Designers | François Castaing and Michel Têtu |
| Aerodynamics | ground effect |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbocharged Renault Gordini EF1 |
| Power | about 520 bhp by 1981 |
| Tyres | Michelin |
| 1980 drivers | Jean-Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux |
| Wins | three in 1980 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault RE20.
History of the Renault RE20
A French turbo car
The RE20 was designed by François Castaing and Michel Têtu using ground-effect aerodynamics, and was powered by the 1.5-litre turbocharged Renault Gordini EF1 engine, which by 1981 was producing a reported 520 bhp. That was roughly 50 more than the 3.0-litre Cosworth DFV V8 still in wide use, though less than the 560 bhp turbo engine Ferrari was then using. In keeping with everything French on the car, the tyres were Michelin.
Drivers
The all-French team was made up at the time entirely of French drivers. In 1980 the RE20 was driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux; in 1981 Arnoux continued while Jabouille was replaced by a young Alain Prost, who had made his Formula One debut in 1980 for McLaren.
Results
The RE20 achieved three Grand Prix wins during the 1980 season: Arnoux won in Brazil and South Africa, and Jabouille won in Austria. A modified version of the car followed.
Design and features
- Ground effect: underbody aerodynamics that generated downforce.
- Turbo engine: the 1.5-litre EF1 with about 520 bhp by 1981.
- Michelin tyres: French rubber to match the rest of the package.
- Three wins: Brazil, South Africa and Austria in 1980.
Renault RE20 versions
- RE20 (1980): the original car raced by Jabouille and Arnoux.
- Modified RE20: the updated version that followed.
The RE20 was followed by the Renault RE30, and its turbo engine carried into the Renault RS10 era. Renault’s wider Formula One history is on the Renault in Formula One page; more cars are in the Renault collection.
Sources
- Renault RE20, English Wikipedia: design, engine, drivers, results
