Formula Renault

Formula Renault are classes of formula racing popular in Europe and elsewhere. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it was founded in 1971, and was a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas.

Renault now backs the French F4 Championship and Formula Regional European Championship. The World Series by Renault once included Formula Renault 3.5 before becoming World Series Formula V8 3.5 in 2016, then 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, 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 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, 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 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.85 seconds and braking from 200km/h (124 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

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–present

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).

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 Didier Pironi, Kimi Räikkönen, Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton all of whom have gone onto win Grands Prix.

Formula Renault 2.0L timeline

• "FR" = Formula Renault ; italic = Former series ; "Winter series" or "Winter" or "W" = Winter series of the above series
• (a) = Formula Renault 2000 Masters; (b) = Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup; (c) = Formula Renault 2.0 Germany ; (d) = Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands ; (e) = Renault Speed Trophy F2000; (f) = North American Fran Am 2000 Pro Championship; (g) = Rencontres Internationales de Formule Renault

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 Renault engines.

Championships

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

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.
• 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. In 2005, the championship wasn't held due to low participation.

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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] The series used Renault engines with constructor Tatuus and ran on Michelin provided tyres.[citation needed]

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

• List of Formula Renault cars

External links

• (in English) 20 September 2004 at the Wayback Machine

Formula Renault 3.5L

• (in English) (in English) former-series
• (in English)

Formula Renault 2.0L

Europe

• (in English) renault-sport.com
• (in French) 17 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine renault-sport.com
• (in English) renaultsport.co.uk
• (in English) barc.net (in English) renault-sport.uk
• (in Italian) renaultsportitalia.it
• (in English) formularenaultwec.com
• (in English) necup.com (in German) renault-sport.de
• (in French) 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine worldseriesbyrenault.ch
• (in English) rata-sm.fi
• (in Portuguese) formulajunior.net

America

• (in English) formulatr.com (USA)
• (in Spanish) 11 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine PanamGPSeries.com (Latin America) (in Spanish) copacorona.com (former series).

Asia

• (in English) 26 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine frdsports.com (in English) 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine frdsports.com

Formula Renault 1.6L

Europe

• (in French) 12 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine autosportacademy.com
• (in English) [permanent dead link] renault-sport.be
• (in English) frcup.com

America

• (in Spanish) 25 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine formulas-argentinas.com.ar (in Spanish) apefa.com.ar
• (in English) formulatr.com (USA)
• (in Spanish) 11 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine PanamGPSeries.com (Latin America)

Other formulas powered by Renault

Europe

• (Austrian) f3.motion-company.eu (2.0L)
• (in Italian) formula2000light.com (2.0L, Italy)

America

• (in Spanish) campfsr.com.ar (2.0L)
• (in Spanish) frinterprovincial.com (1.6L, Argentina)

Asia

• (in English) [dead link] gp2series.com (4L V8)
• (in English) formulaasia2.com (2.0L)