Formula Renault


Formula Renault is two classes of formula racing popular in Europe and elsewhere. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it was first founded in 1971, and is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas.
Renault now backs two one-make single-seater series: Formula Renault 1.6 and Formula Renault 2.0. Formula Renault 3.5 became the World Series Formula V8 3.5 in 2016 before folding in 2017.

Formula Renault 3.5L

The most senior "Formula Renault" was the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup started by Renault to run as part of Eurosport's Super Racing Weekends. Only two seasons were run between 2003 and 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 World Series by Renault in 2005. In 2016 the series became the World Series Formula V8 3.5, which folded in 2017.
Formula V6 Asia started in 2006 in Asia and ran at Asian Festival of Speed Weekends.
The old Eurocup and current Asian formulas use Tatuus chassis, while the World Series uses Dallara cars. Michelin is the tyre supplier.

The cars

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 descends from Formula France created in 1968. Its predecessors used 1.3L, 1.6L, 1.6L turbo and later 1,721 cc, then 2l 8V 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 2.0L 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, 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 in 4.85 seconds and braking from 125 mph 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
Chassis
The chassis is a carbon fiber cell designed and developed by Tatuus and Renault Sport. It also incorporates a 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
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.
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
Brake
The brakes are four-pot calipers, with ventilated discs and Ferodo pads. They include cockpit-adjustable bias front-to-rear.
Tyres
Wheels

2010–today

Manufactured by Barazi-Epsilon EB01 A
Main changes to the previous models are:
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.

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

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

The cars

The cars use K4M 1598cc Renault engines.

Championships

Winners

organises several Formula Renault championships different from its official 2.0L series:
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 in Central Europe. 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 Renault 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.
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