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,[1] and is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas.

Formula Renault 2.0 race at Silverstone in 2008

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 (ETCC and FIA GT Championship). 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 (Touring Car, 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: Renault Type V4Y RS, 60° V6, 3498 cc, 530 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 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
Formula Renault 3.5L official championships
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
Europe World Series by Nissan 1998–2004 M Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
Formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003–2004 M Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series (part of World Series by Renault) 2005-2017 M
Asia Formula V6 Asia 2006–2009 M

A Pan Am Formula Renault V6 series was planned to take place in 2005 but it never occurred.[2]

Formula Renault 2.0

Formula Renault 2.0 descends 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.

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, Martini, Swift, Tatuus, and Ermolli. The car was last used in 1999.

2000–2009
"Renault Sport type F4R FRS" engine

The Formula Renault 2000 had a Tatuus-made chassis running 2.0 L Renault Clio engines attached to a Sadev gearbox.[3] 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.[4] 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 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: 192 bhp (143 kW) at 6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 22mkg (159lb.ft) at 5,500 rpm
Lubrication: Dry Sump, 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 13 inches (330 mm)
Rear: 23/57 x 13 inches (330 mm)
Manufacturer: Michelin control
Exceptions
Asia: Kumho (since 2002)
Brazil: Pirelli (2002–2006)
North America: Yokohama (since 2004)
Wheels
Front: 8 inches x 13 inches (330 mm)
Rear: 10 inches x 13 inches (330 mm)
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 210 bhp (160 kW)
  • 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).[5]

Formula Renault 2.0L official championships
Europe
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information Winter Series
Alps Italian Formula Renault Championship 2000–2010 M Also known as: Formula Renault 2.0 Italia, Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Italia (2000–04) 2001-2008
Formula Renault 2.0 Middle European Championship 2002–2010 M Former names: Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse, Renault Speed Trophy F2000, (LO) Formula Renault 2.0 Switzerland
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 2002-2015 M Created by merger of Middle European and Italian championships.
Challenge Formula Renault 2.0 Italia 2011-2012 M Replaces Formula Renault 2.0 Italia. Uses cars built between 2000 and 2009.
 Estonia Formula Renault 2.0 Estonia 2008 M Only champion: Jesse Krohn (Finland) and P1 Motorsport
Europe Challenge Européen de Formule Renault 1972–1974 M Replaced the Criterium de Formule Renault (1973–74)
Challenge de Formule Renault Europe 1975–1977 M Replaced the French Formula Three Championship
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (part of World Series by Renault) 1991-2020 M Former names: Rencontres Internationales de Formule Renault, Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Masters.[1]
Northern Europe Formula Renault 2.0 Germany 1991–1999,
2001–2005		 M Merge with Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands to create Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup. Former names: Formula Renault 2000 Germany, Formula Renault Germany.[1]
Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands 1991–1995,
2003–2005		 M Merge with Formula Renault 2.0 Germany to create Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup.
Former name Formula Renault 2000 Netherlands.
Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup 2006-2018 M Replaced the German and Dutch championships. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. Organized by MdH Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany.
Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup FR2000 2010 M Secondary class to Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup.
 Portugal Fórmula Júnior FR2.0 Portugal 2008 M Only champion: Gonçalo Araújo (Portugal), Winter Series champion: James Calado (UK) 2008
Scandinavia Formula Renault 2.0 Nordic Series 2002–2006 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Scandinavia.
Formula Renault 2.0 Finland 2008–2010 M Organized by AKK-Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany.
Formula Renault 2.0 Sweden 2009–2010 M Organized by Joakim Wiedesheim and Renault Sport Sweden.
 Spain Spanish Formula Renault Championship 1991–1997 M Also known as: Campeonato de España de Fórmula Renault,[6] Replaced by World Series by Nissan in 1998
 United Kingdom Formula Renault 2.0 UK 1989–2011 M Organised by Renault Sport UK since 1990, using Michelin tyres since 1992, Also known as: Formula Renault 2.0 UK, Former names: Formula Renault Sport UK (1995–99), Formula Renault 2000 UK (2000–04).[1] 1998-2011
Protyre Formula Renault 1995-2014 M Organised by the British Automobile Racing Club. Previously known as the FR2000 class and Formula Renault BARC 2007-2013
Western Europe French Formula Renault Championship 1971–1972,
1975–2007		 M Also known as: Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0, Former names: Critérium de Formule Renault, Championnat de Formule Renault Nationale, Championnat de France Formule Renault, Championnat de France Formule Renault Turbo, Championnat de France Formule Renault, and Championnat de France Formule Renault 2000[1], Replaced by F Renault 2.0 WEC.
Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup 2008–2009[7] M Replace the French championship. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 WEC.
America
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information Winter Series
 Argentina Argentine Formula Renault Championship since 1980 P Uses Tito 02 chassis
 Brazil Formula Renault 2.0 Brazil 2002–2006 P Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Brazil.
Latin America Mexican Formula Renault Championship 2002–2004 M Replaced by Formula Renault 2000 de America
Formula Renault 2000 de America 2005–2007 M Replace the Mexican Formula Renault Championship.
North America North American Fran Am 2000 Pro Championship 2002–2003 M Replaced by Formula TR 2000 Pro Series. Former name: North American Formula Renault 2000. 2003
Formula TR 2000 Pro Series 2004–2007 Y USA, West coast only. 2004
Asia
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information Winter Series
Asia Formula Renault AsiaCup since 2002 K Reward the China Formula Renault Challenge including Chinese events only. Reward also the best Asian driver with the Asian Challenge Category.

Winners
Main article: List of Formula Renault 2.0 champions

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
Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior at Nurburgring 2013

This Formula Renault series is open to drivers between 14 and 21 years that have raced before in karting series.[8]

The cars

The cars use K4M 1598cc Renault engines.

Championships
Formula Renault 1.6L official championships
Europe
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
 Belgium Formula Renault 1.6 Belgium 2003–2007 M Former name: Formula Renault 1600 Belgium. Reguled by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium
 France F4 Eurocup 1.6 (part of World Series by Renault) 1993-2017 M Former names: Championnat de France FFSA Formule Campus Renault Elf, Formul'Academy Euro Series. The series is managed by La Filière Elf since 1993, La Filière FFSA since 2001 and by the Auto Sport Academy based near the Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans since 2008.
 Italy Formula Junior 1.6 powered by Renault 2002–2006 M Former name: Formula Junior 1600 by Renault. In 2007, it was replaced by Formula Monza 1.6 and 1.2 powered by Fiat engine.
 Spain Formula Renault 1.6 Spain 2002–2004 M Former name: Formula Junior 1600 Spain
Western Europe Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior 2013–2014 K
Northern Europe Formula Renault 1.6 Nordic 2013–2015 D
M		 Series supporting STCC. Used Dunlop tyres during 2013–2014 season, changed to Michelin for 2015 following its parent series. Will continue in 2016 without Renault support.
America
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
 Argentina Formula Renault Elf 1.6 Argentina since 1980 M The formulas use different chassis like Crespi Tulia XXV, and Tito 01. The races are held during the TC 2000 since 2001.
Latin America Formula Junior 1600 2005–2007 M
North America North American Fran Am 1600 Pro Championship 2002–2003 M Replaced by Formula TR 1600 Pro Series
Formula TR 1600 Pro Series 2004–2007 Y Held on west coast only.

Winners
  • Only white square represent held championships.
  • Small name and flag represent Winter Series winner.

Formula Renault 1.6L timeline
  • "FR" = Formula Renault ; "FJ" = Formula Junior ; italic = Former series

Other formulas powered by Renault
A race in the Formul'Academy Euro Series at Ciudad del Motor de Aragón, Spain (2009)

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 T.S Break.[18]
  • Fórmula 4 Nacional (in 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 season) with Renault K4M engine (1598cc) and replacing the Fórmula 4 Nacional series. Teams can choose chassis manufacturer.
  • Fórmula Super Renault with Dallara, Reynard, Ralt or TOM'S chassis and Renault 21, 18 or F3R 2.0L engine.[19] In 2005, the championship wasn't held due to the low of participation.[20]

In 2008, the Formula 2000 Light was created.[21] 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.[22] 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.

  • (N) : Fórmula 4 Nacional held only in 2007.
  • (1) = Thiemo Storz finish second overall but Pierluigi Veronesi, the series champion, use a Dallara Formula 3 car.

See also

References
  1. "2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Press Kit" (PDF). Renault Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  2. PanAm FR attracting international interest Archived 28 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine theraceforum.com (2005-03-18)
  3. Technical specifications from the Euroseries
  4. Technical specifications from the UK series
  5. PASSADORE CAMPEÓN F.2000 URUGUAYA Archived 31 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine autonoticias.com.ar (14 December 2003)
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. [AutoHebdo n°1745 24 March 2010, page 12, Philippe Sinault (Signature), announced the 2010 Formula Renault WEC cancellation]
  8. Belgian 1.6 Presentation renault-sport.be
  9. FR1.6 Argentina Campeones Archived 10 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine apefa.com.ar
  10. Formule Campus et Academy Palmares autosportacademy.com
  11. Driver database driverdb.com
  12. FR1.6 Italia Classifica Archived 15 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine nuvolari3000.com
  13. PanmGPSeries Anos anteriores Archived 10 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine sporcar.com
  14. 1600: Colin Braun takes championship Archived 6 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine motorsport.com (27 October 2003)
  15. 1600: Series celebrates successful first year Archived 6 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine motorsport.com (27 November 2002)
  16. first woman to win a single seater Archived 4 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine renault-sport.be (2007-10-15)
  17. "EU 2.0 Paul Ricard test summary". motorsport.com. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  18. FR Interprovincial, Reglamento Archived 7 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine frinterprovincial.com
  19. NAace la Super Formula Argentina Archived 31 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine autonoticias.com.ar (1 February 2005)
  20. En el 2005 no habra Super Renault Archived 31 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine autonoticias.com.ar (28 December 2004)
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) formula2000light.com
  22. Historie Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine austriaf3cup.com
  23. Borsani campeón 2006 Archived 17 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine campfsr.com.ar
  24. En Mar del Plata, la alegría fue para Perabó formulas-argentinas.com.ar
  25. F.Super Renault – Lifschitz campeon Archived 31 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine autonoticias.com.ar (6 December 2003)
  26. Rossi, Matías Archived 12 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine actc.org.ar

Formula Renault 3.5L

Formula Renault 2.0L
Europe
America
Asia

Formula Renault 1.6L
Europe
America

Other formulas powered by Renault
Europe
America
Asia
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