Formula Renault are classes of

formula racing Formula racing (known as open-wheel racing in North America) is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single- ...

popular in Europe and elsewhere. Regarded as an entry-level series to

motor racing Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...

, it was founded in 1971, and was a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas. Formula Renault at Silverstone 2008

Renault now backs the

French F4 Championship French F4 Championship, formerly known as Formula Renault Campus France, Formula Campus, Formul'Academy Euro Series, F4 Eurocup 1.6 is a form of open wheel racing founded in 1993 by Louis Drouet. It is based in France and aims at karting graduates ...

and

Formula Regional European Championship The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) is a FIA-certified regional European Formula 3 racing series. On 12 October 2018 it was announced that the Italian autosport regulator Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) and karting prom ...

. The

World Series by Renault The Renault Sport Series (formerly known as World Series by Renault) is a motor racing series. The series latterly consisted of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, and used to contain the Renault Sport Trophy and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. T ...

once included Formula Renault 3.5 before becoming

World Series Formula V8 3.5 The World Series Formula V8 3.5, formerly the World Series by Nissan from 1998 to 2004, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series from 2005 to 2015 and the Formula V8 3.5 in 2016 and 2017, was a motor racing series promoted by RPM Racing (1998–2004) and R ...

in 2016, then folding in 2017.

Formula Renault 3.5L

The most senior "Formula Renault" was the

Formula Renault V6 Eurocup Formula Renault V6 Eurocup is a former type of formula racing, active from 2003 to 2004, started by Renault as a support series in Eurosport's Super Racing Weekends ( ETCC and FIA GT Championship). It was a Formula Renault 3.5 that include also ...

started by

Renault Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English; legally Renault S.A.) is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured ...

to run as part of Eurosport's Super Racing Weekends (

ETCC The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004. In 2005 it was superseded by the World T ...

and

FIA GT Championship The FIA GT Championship was a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO) at the behest of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship was mostly concentrated in Europe, but throughout ...

). Only two seasons were run between

2003 File:2003 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The crew of STS-107 perished when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry into Earth's atmosphere; SARS became an epidemic in China, and was a precursor to SARS-CoV-2; A des ...

and 2004 Formula Renault V6 Eurocup season, 2004 before Renault left Super Racing Weekends and merged the series with the similar World Series by Nissan to create the Formula Renault 3.5 Series as part of the

in 2005 World Series by Renault season, 2005. In 2016 the series became the

, which folded in 2017. Formula V6 Asia started in 2006 Formula V6 Asia by Renault season, 2006 in Asia and ran at Asian Festival of Speed Weekends (Asian Touring Car Championship, Touring Car, Formula BMW Asia, Formula BMW and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia). The old Eurocup and current Asian formulas use Tatuus chassis, while the World Series uses Dallara cars. Michelin is the tyre supplier.

The cars

* Engine:

Nissan VQ engine#VQ35DE, Type V4Y RS, 60° V6, 3498 cc, 425-500 hp - since 2012 Zytek ZRS03 V8, 3396 cc, 530 hp * Chassis: Tatuus (Eurocup and Asia) or Dallara T02/T05/T08/T12 (World Series) Carbon-fibre Monocoque, carbon and fibreglass bodywork * Width: 1850 mm (72.8") maximum * Wheelbase: 3000–3125 mm * Track: 1579 mm (front) and 1536 mm (rear) * Weight: 616 kg * Fuel: 110 litres * Suspension front and rear with torsion bar, push-rod, twin struts * Telemetry, and steering wheel * Sequential manual transmission, Sequential gearbox, six gears * Wheels: Single piece magnesium with central nut, 10 x 13 (front) and 13 x 13 (rear) * Tyres: Michelin dry and rain, 24 x 57 x 13 (front) and 31 x 60 x 13 (rear)

Championships

A Pan Am Formula Renault V6 series was planned to take place in 2005 but it never occurred.

Formula Renault 2.0

Formula Renault 2.0 descended from Formula France created in 1968. Its predecessors used 1.3L (1968–1971), 1.6L (1972–1981), 1.6L turbo (1982–1988) and later 1,721 cc (1989–1994), then 2l 8V (1995–1999) engines in single-seater chassis. The series evolved in 2000 into a 2L 16V series using one-make cars from Italian manufacturer Tatuus. The series was introduced into the UK in 1989 and even after the 1721 cc cars had been replaced at the top level a club-level series for them continued in parallel with the more ambitious 2.0 series. This is seen as one of the key steps in a driver's career before Formula Three. The most notable recent graduate of the formula is Kimi Räikkönen, who moved straight into Formula One after winning the British Formula Renault championship.

The cars

1995–1999

The Formula Renault 95 used multiple chassis, production 2.0-litre 8V 165 hp engines and Hewland five-speed manual gearboxes. Manufacturers were able to build cars around spec components such as the engine, bellhousing, gearbox, brakes, wheels and ECU. Chassis were steel space frame with fibreglass bodies. Manufacturers included Mygale, Automobiles Martini, Martini, Swift, Tatuus, and Ermolli. The car was last used in 1999.

2000–2009

The Formula Renault 2000 had a Tatuus-made chassis running 2.0 L Renault Clio engines attached to a Sadev gearbox. The engine originally had a maximum output of 185 hp, and was upgraded to 210 hp in 2006. They are capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) in 4.85 seconds and braking from 125 mph (200 km/h) to a stop in 4.60 seconds. The Tatuus Formula Renault car is the most successful single seater ever, with 10 years of service and nearly 1000 sold. The car has produced many current Formula One stars, with 11 of the 25 drivers in the 2009 Formula One season using the car in the infancy of their careers. For the 2010 season, a new car developed by Barazi-Epsilon, will be used in most major championships, with the old car still being used in minor championships such as Formula Renault BARC in the UK.

= Dimensions and weight

= :''Wheel Base'': 2,645 mm :''Front Track'': 1,434 mm :''Rear Track'': 1,318 mm :''Minimum Weight'': 490 kg without driver / 565 kg with driver

= Chassis

= The chassis is a carbon fiber cell designed and developed by Tatuus and Renault Sport. It also incorporates a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA-approved roll hoop and lateral driver's head protection. This was introduced in 2000 and updated with new bodywork in 2004 and 2007. Both the chassis and engine are of an FIA-approved "impact break-away" design.

= Cockpit

= : XAP Multi-Changeable Dashboard Display : FIA-approved Safety Features : Roll Hoop and Lateral Driver's Head Protective Padding : Deformable, double-jointed steering column : Removable steering wheel : Six-point, 3-inch driver's shoulder and lap harnesses : FT3 fuel cell : Manually operated 5 kg fire extinguisher

= Engine

= The engine is a sealed, 16-valve, 4-cylinder ''Renault Sport type F4R FRS'' with Orbisoud race exhaust system and catalytic converter, built and developed by Renault Sport. :''Capacity'': 1998 cc :''Max Output'': at 6,500 rpm :''Max Torque'': 22mkg (159lb.ft) at 5,500 rpm :''Lubrication'': Dry Sump, Elf Aquitaine, Elf Evolution LDX 5w/40 :''Spark Plugs'': NGK PFR6E10 :''ECU'': Sealed Magneti-Marelli MF4L ignition system

= Gearbox

= Formula Renault uses a Sadev 6-speed, sequential gearbox with mechanical control featuring three specified sets of ratios using a Limited Slip Differential and Twin-Plate. The clutch is hydraulic. It also uses Elf Transmission LS.

= Suspension

= :''Front'': Pushrod, controlled single damper with adjustable bump and rebound :''Rear'': Pushrod, controlled twin dampers with adjustable bump and rebound

= Brake

= The brakes are four-pot calipers, with ventilated discs and Ferodo(type DS4003) pads. They include cockpit-adjustable bias front-to-rear.

= Tyres

= :''Front'': 16/53 x :''Rear'': 23/57 x :''Manufacturer'': Michelin control :Exceptions :''Asia'': Kumho Tires, Kumho (since 2002) :''Brazil'': Pirelli (2002–2006) :''North America'': Yokohama Rubber Company, Yokohama (since 2004)

= Wheels

= :''Front'': 8 inches x :''Rear'': 10 inches x :''Manufacturer'': OZ

2010–today

Manufactured by Barazi-Epsilon EB01 A Main changes to the previous models are: *Engine: 2.0L Renault F4R 832 - maximal output has been raised to *Gearbox is now 7-speed sequential

Championships

Two sorts of Formula Renault 2.0 championships exist. Regular championships and Winter Series, an off-season championship held usually between November and February with few races. In 2005, all series names were replaced from ''Formula Renault 2000'' to ''Formula Renault 2.0''. An Uruguyan 2.0L series is also held (José Pedro Passadores 2003 champion).

Winners

A majority of Formula Renault champions have gone onto lead successful careers in motor racing, most notably Alain Prost who won the Formula One World Championship four times in his career. Other drivers include René Arnoux, Didier Pironi, Kimi Räikkönen, Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton all of whom have gone onto win Grands Prix.

Formula Renault 2.0L timeline

Formula Renault 1.6L

This Formula Renault series was open to drivers between 14 and 21 years that have raced before in karting series.

The cars

The cars use K4M 1598cc

engines.

Championships

Winners

*In Belgium 2007 championship, Karline Stala was the first ever woman to win a Open-wheel car, single seaters championship. She was invited to test the Formula Renault 3.5L at Circuit Paul Ricard in November 2007, like the best 2.0L and 3.5L drivers.

Formula Renault 1.6L timeline

Other formulas powered by Renault

Argentina organises several Formula Renault championships different from its official 2.0L series: * ''Fórmula Renault Plus'' (since 2007) with Renault Clio K4M engine (1598cc). * ''Fórmula Renault Interprovincial'' (since 2007) with 1.397 cc engine from Renault 12#South America, Renault 12 T.S Break. * ''Fórmula 4 Nacional'' (in 2007 Formula Renault seasons#2007 Fórmula 4 Nacional season, 2007) with Renault K4M engine (1598cc) with lower power than the official 1.6L series. Teams can choose chassis manufacturer. Races are held during the TC 2000 weekends. * ''Fórmula 4 Metropolitana'' (since 2008 Formula Renault seasons#Fórmula 4 Metropolitana season, 2008 season) with Renault K4M engine (1598cc) and replacing the Fórmula 4 Nacional series. Teams can choose chassis manufacturer. * ''Fórmula Super Renault'' with Dallara, Reynard Motorsport, Reynard, Ralt or TOM'S chassis and Renault 21, Renault 18, 18 or F3R 2.0L engine. In 2005, the championship wasn't held due to the low of participation.En el 2005 no habra Super Renault
''autonoticias.com.ar'' (28 December 2004) In 2008, the ''Formula 2000 Light'' was created. The series is held in Italy with Tatuus's Formula Renault or Formula Three chassis. The same year also saw the introduction of the ''LATAM Challenge Series'', run in Latin America. The ''Austria Formel Renault Cup'' has been held since 2007 Formula Renault seasons#2007 Fórmula 4 Nacional season, 2007 in Central Europe.Historie
''austriaf3cup.com'' This series is held and organised with the Austria Formula 3 Cup and use the 2.0L Renault formulas. The ''Formule Renault 2.0 North European Zone'' was also introduced in 2008. 2008 was the first, and ultimately last, season of the ''Formula Asia 2.0''. Its aim was to bring more racing to the Asian region, allowing more drivers to opportunity to race and make the step up to the next level. The series used

engines with constructor Tatuus and ran on Michelin provided tyres.

Winners

For GP Series winners, see GP2 Series, GP2 Asia Series and GP3 Series pages.

References

External links

*
Renault Sport