Information about Renault

History of Renault in F1

The French Formula One team first competed in F1 in 1977, with only one car driven by Jean Pierre Jabouille. They picked up their first points in the following season with a fourth place result in the US Grand Prix. 1979 welcomed the team’s first victory at their home circuit in France before Alain Prost joined in 1984, to win four Grands Prix and finishing second in the constructors’ standings. Renault withdrew from Formula One in 1986 and took a three year break before returning as an engine provider for Williams. Renault provided engines for Benetton and Williams from 1992 to 1997, when between them they won the constructors titles for five seasons. After retiring again, they made their first start as the current team in 2002, after Benetton become their official works team, and they finished fourth in the constructors’ standings. Their first race victory was celebrated in 2003 when Fernando Alonso secured a win in Hungary and Renault finished fourth in the constructors’ championship. In the next campaign, they moved up to third in the constructors’ standings and claimed a double title victory in 2005 with Alonso taking the title again. 2006 was just as successful and they retained both awards before departing company with the Spaniard. 2007 was a disappointing season but 2008 saw the return of Alonso and winning ways, as they ended their campaign in fourth place.

Renault information

The Renault team is managed by Flavio Briatore and is based in Enstone, England. They use the popular Bridgestone Potenza tyres and lay claim to 35 victories and 50 poles with their Renault RS27 engine. The drivers for the 2009 campaign remain the same as last year with Fernando Alonso partnering Nelson Piquet.

Technical details and statistics

Renault hopes to reduce drag on the car with a new wing that features a single flap and wide endplates to direct air away from the front tyres. To avoid the nose being too pitch sensitive when the brakes are applied, Renault has also modified the nose cone to increase down force and airflow as well as reduce pressure.

Base: Enstone, England
Team principal: Flavio Briatore
Main drivers: Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet
Engine: Renault RS27
Chassis: R29
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Debut F1 season: 1977
World Championship titles: 2
Highest race finish: 1st (x35)
Pole positions: 50
Fastest lap times: 27

Driver no.1: Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso was born in the Spanish city of Oviedo and joined the professional car racing circuit as runner-up in the 1998 European Karting Championship. Alonso dominated various racing championships before his first appearance in Formula One in 2001 with Minardi. After spending 2002 as a test driver for Renault, the Spaniard gained a seat in the racing team in 2003 and became the youngest driver to earn a pole position, as well as his first Grand Prix win in Hungary. Alonso completed a brace of victories by winning the drivers title in 2005 and 2006, before joining McLaren in 2007 for one season and finishing third. He returned to Renault in 2008, where he notably won the first night race in Singapore before finishing fifth in the drivers’ standings.

Statistics
Nationality: Spanish
Date of birth: 29/07/1981
World Championship titles: 2
Number of Grands Prix won: 21
Pole positions: 17
Career points: 551
Podiums: 52

Driver no.2: Nelson Piquet

Nelson Piquet was born in the German city of Heidelberg and competed in his first professional race in 2001 in the Formula Three Championship, before going on to gain victory in the South American Formula Three. 2003 and 2004 see the Brazilian test driving for Williams and then BAR in 2005. The subsequent year, Piquet finishes second only to Lewis Hamilton in the GP2 and finally makes his debut for Renault in Formula One last year, laying claim to one podium finish.

Statistics
Nationality: Brazilian
Date of birth: 25/07/1985
World Championship titles: 0
Number of Grands Prix won: 0
Pole positions: 0
Career points: 19
Podiums: 1