from Renault type A to Renault Megane R.S.
our first sporting achievements
the early days
Very early on, Louis Renault became aware of the importance of sporting achievements in the development of the brand image. On 24 December 1898, he proved the superiority of his first great innovation: direct drive transmission. His Type A voiturette was the first to climb the Rue Lepic in Montmartre.
Following this success, Renault began to compete in motorsport and won a series of Grand Prix victories. Renault type K, equipped with the first engine designed by Renault, notably distinguished itself in the 1902 Paris-Vienna rally. The First World War put automotive competition in Europe on hold, but Renault did not stay away from motorsport for long. The "Renault diamond" returned to glory in the 1920s with the impressive Renault 40CV. Winning the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally, it found fame by beating many track speed records of the time.
Gordini's arrival
In 1958, Renault appointed Italian constructor Amédée Gordini as head of the motorsport division. The legendary Renault 8 Gordini was born. It went on to become a symbol of success for a whole generation of drivers. Its huge popularity led to the creation in 1966 of the Renault 8 Gordini Cup, the first ever one-make racing series.
In July 1970, the launch of the Renault 12 Gordini led to 'G Day', a gathering of Gordini owners at the Paul Ricard Circuit. The spirit of this event continues today through the World Series by Renault. At the same time, Formula Renault made its debut with the first cars fitted with the Renault 12 Gordini engine. France played host to its first Formula Renault championship in 1971
the Alpine takeover
In 1973, Renault became the majority shareholder of Alpine, a small French manufacturer founded by Jean Rédélé, with which the brand had had links for many years. 1973 proved to be a good year for the brand as the Alpine A110 "Berlinette" won the first World Rally Championship.
Renault and the flagship competition
our Formula 1 history
our first steps in Formula 1
Our history with motorsport began with the arrival of Amédée Gordini, known for his Grand Prix cars. Renault built the Viry‑Châtillon factory to house his creations. Thanks to Gordini, Renault concentrated first on a V6 2.0 L engine, which was unveiled in January 1973. It turned out to be competitive in the famous European 2-Litre Sports Car Championship. Bolstered by this success, Renault joined the FIA World Sports Car Championship and developed a turbo version of the engine.
Renault Sport was officially founded in 1976 while a single-seater competition programme was launched: Formula 2, Sport Le Mans, then Formula 1 in 1977. Renault started out in Formula 1 as a team. While its competitors used naturally-aspirated engines, Renault lined up a V6 turbocharged powerhouse. At the same time, Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud won the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans in their Alpine-Renault A442B, powered by the Renault V6 turbo engine. The diamond brand achieved its first Formula One victory in 1979 in the French Grand Prix, with Jean-Pierre Jabouille at the wheel of an RS11.
In the early 1980s, Renault won 15 Grands Prix and finished second in the 1983 World Championship thanks to Alain Prost, before withdrawing from the competition at the end of the 1985 season.
the comeback
Renault returned to Formula 1 in 2001 after buying team Benetton, before officially changing the name to Renault F1 Team in 2002.
The rise of Renault F1 Team coincided with that of a certain Fernando Alonso, who won two consecutive World Drivers' titles in 2005 and 2006. The new team also won two constructors' titles in the same period.
In 2011, Renault wanted to focus on its activities as an engine manufacturer for other teams. Renault F1 Team was sold to Genii Capital. Renault engines then came to drive the Red Bull Racing team to World Championship victory with four constructors' titles between 2010 and 2013. Sebastian Vettel entered the record books by becoming the youngest four-time world champion in the history of Formula 1.
2019, Renault's roaring forties
After re-establishing ourselves as an official Formula 1 manufacturer, we developed a proven track record with some fine battles and good performances.
On the cutting edge of innovation, both on the racetrack and on the road, we used our expertise in motorsport and electric know-how to develop, in collaboration with our Renault F1 teams, an innovative and exclusive hybrid technology: Renault E-TECH.
a new identity
In 2021, Alpine Cars, Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing united under the Alpine flagship in order to present a brand dedicated to innovative, authentic and exclusive Groupe Renault motorsport cars. Already known for its success in endurance racing and rally, the Alpine brand unveiled its new identity in 2020: Alpine F1 Team.
Armed with our Renault E-TECH hybrid technology, we are committed as the exclusive engine manufacturer for the team, which benefits from our ingenuity and unique expertise in hybrid powertrains.
