Formula Renault

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Formula Renault is a class of formula racing founded in 1971.[1] It is popular in Europe and other countries. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to Formula Three, World Series by Renault, GP2 or Formula One.

Formula Renault 2.0 race at Silverstone in 2008.
Formula Renault 2.0 race at Silverstone in 2008.

Renault now backs several one-make single-seater series; it is essential to distinguish Formula Renault 1.6, Formula Renault 2.0 and World Series by Renault (formerly Formula Renault 3.5). The GP2 Series is also powered by Renault-badged engines but is not considered part of the Renault driver development programme.

At the end of each racing season, Renault Sport give the opportunity to the best Formula Renault 2.0 drivers to try the 3.5L car at Paul Ricard circuit.[2]

Contents

[edit] Formula Renault 3.5L

A Formula Renault 3.5 at Silverstone for the Renault World Series.JPG
A Formula Renault 3.5 at Silverstone for the Renault World Series.JPG

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 World Series by Renault in 2005.

Formula V6 Asia started in 2006 in Asia and ran at Asian Festival of Speed Weekends (Touring Car, Formula BMW and Porsche Carrera Cup).

Eurocup and Asian formulas use Tatuus chassis, while the World Series uses Dallara cars. Michelin is the tyre supplier.

[edit] The cars

  • engine : Renault Type V4Y RS, 60° V6, 3498 cc
  • chassis : Tatuus (Eurocup and Asia) or Dallara (World Series) Carbon-fibre Monocoque, carbon and fibreglass bodywork
  • width : 1850 mm (72.8") maximum
  • wheelbase : 3000 mm
  • track : 1579 mm (front) and 1536 mm (rear)
  • weight: 590 kg
  • Fuel : 90 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)

[edit] Championships

Formula Renault 3.5L official championships
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
Europe World Series by Renault since 2005 M Replace World Series by Nissan and Formula Renault V6 Eurocup.
Formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003 - 2004 M Replaced by World Series by Renault.
Asia Formula V6 Asia since 2006 M

A Pan Am Formula Renault V6 series was planned to take place in 2005 but it never occurred.[3].

[edit] Winners

Year Formula Renault V6 Eurocup World Series by Renault Formula V6 Asia
2008 series in progress
2007 Flag of Portugal Álvaro Parente Flag of the United Kingdom James Winslow
2006 Flag of Sweden Alx Danielsson Flag of India Karun Chandhok
2005 Flag of Poland Robert Kubica
2004 Flag of Switzerland Giorgio Mondini
2003 Flag of Argentina José María López
  • Only white square represent held championships.

[edit] Formula Renault 2.0L

Formula Renault 2.0 descends from Formula France (which France adopted in place of two-litre Formula 3 in the early 1970s). Its predecessors used 1.6l and later 1,721 cc engines in single-seater chassis. The series evolved in 1995 into a two-litre series using one-make cars from Italian manufacturer Tatuus. The series was introduced into the UK in the early 1990s 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 3.

The most notable recent graduate of the formula is Kimi Räikkönen, who moved straight into Formula 1 after winning the British Formula Renault championship.

[edit] The cars

"Renault Sport type F4R FRS" engine
"Renault Sport type F4R FRS" engine

The cars are open-wheelers, with Tatuus-made chassis running 2.0 L Renault Clio engines attached to a Formula Three gearbox.[4] 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.[5]

  • Dimensions and weight
Wheel Base: 1,577 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 Interior
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 breaks 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, aluminium, central fixing-->

[edit] Championships

Two sorts of Formula Renault 2.0 championships exist. Regular championships and Winter Series, an off-season championship held usually between December and February with few races. In 2005, all series names were replaced from Formula Renault 2000 to Formula Renault 2.0.

In 2007, the FIA North European Zone, who held many motorsport series, start a North European championship with Formula Baltic and Formula Renault 2.0L cars[6] but this is not an official Formula Renault championship.

The Formula Super Renault in Argentina than Dallara, Reynard, Ralt or Toms chassis and Renault 21, 18 or F3R 2.0L engine.[7] In 2005, the championship wasn't held due to the low participants[8]
An Uruguyan 2.0L series is also held (José Pedro Passadores 2003 champion).[9]

In 2008, the Formula 2000 Light is created[10]. The series is held in Italy with Tatuus's Formula Renault or Formula 3 chassis.

Formula Renault 2.0L official championships
Europe
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
Flag of France France Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 1971 - 2007 M Replaced by Formula Renault 2.0 WEC. Former names: Critérium de Formule Renault, Formule Renault Nationale, Championnat de France Formule Renault, Championnat de France Formule Renault Turbo and Championnat de France Formule Renault 2000 [1]
Flag of FranceFlag of SpainFlag of PortugalFlag of Belgium
Western Europe		 Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup since 2008 M Replace the French championship. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 WEC.
Flag of Europe Europe European Formula Renault Championship 1972 - 1977 M Former Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. [1]
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 since 1992 M Former names: Formula Renault Europe, Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Masters. [1]
Flag of Germany Germany Formula Renault 2.0 Germany 1991 - 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]
Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands 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.
Flag of GermanyFlag of the NetherlandsFlag of Belgium
Northern Europe		 Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup since 2006 M Replace the German and Dutch championships. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 NEC.
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom Formula Renault 2.0 UK since 1989 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 UK. [1]
Formula Renault 2.0 UK Winter Championship since 1998-99 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 UK Winter Championship. [1]
Flag of the United Kingdom UK Formula Renault BARC since 1996 M
Flag of Italy Italy Formula Renault 2.0 Italia since 2000 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Italia.
Formula Renault 2.0 Italia Winter Series since 2001 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Italia Winter Series.
Flag of DenmarkFlag of Sweden
Scandinavia		 Formula Renault 2.0 Nordic Series 2002-2006 M Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Scandinavia.
Flag of Switzerland Switzerland Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse since 2002 M Named LO Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse in 2007. Former name: Renault Speed Trophy F2000
Held on bordering countries.
Flag of Finland Finland Formule Renault 2.0 Finland since 2008 M Organized by AKK-Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany.
America
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
Flag of the United StatesFlag of Canada
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.
World Championship Fran Am 2000 Winter Series 2003 M Held on Florida, USA.
Flag of the United States USA Formula TR 2000 Pro Series 2004 - 2007 Y USA, West coast only.
Formula TR 2000 Pro Series Winter Invitational 2004 Y
Flag of Brazil Brazil Formula Renault 2.0 Brazil 2002 - 2006 P Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Brazil.
Flag of Mexico Mexico Mexican Formula Renault Championship 2002 - 2004 M Replaced by Formula Renault 2000 de America
Latin America Formula Renault 2000 de America since 2005 M Replace the Mexican championship.
Asia
Zone/Country Last official series name Active years Tyres Complementary information
Flag of the People's Republic of ChinaFlag of Malaysia Asia Asian Formula Renault Challenge since 2002 K Reward the China Formula Renault Challenge including Chinese events only. Reward also the best Asian driver with the Asian Challenge Category.
  • [1] Formula Renault 2.0L was used since 1995 and doesn't exist before this date were series ran with 1.6L engine.

[edit] 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 which have gone onto win Grands Prix.

[edit] Formula Renault 2.0L Timeline

[edit] Formula Renault 1.6L

This Formula Renault series is open to drivers between 14 and 21 years than have raced before in karting series.[11]

[edit] The cars

The cars use K4M 1598cc Renault engines.

[edit] Championships

Argentina organise several Formula Renault championships different than the official 1.6L series :

  • Fórmula Renault Plus with Renault Clio K4M engine (1598cc).
  • Fórmula Renault Interprovencial with 1.397 cc engine from Renault 12 T.S Break[12].
  • Fórmula 4 Nacional (since 2007 season) 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). Teams can choose chassis manufacturer.

[edit] Winners

  • Only white square represent held championships.
  • (M) = Formula 4 Metropolitan winner.
  • (I) = Formula Renault Interprovencial winner.

[edit] Notable drivers

[edit] Formula Renault 1.6L timeline

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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Présentation (Presentation) from the French Championship
  2. ^ a b EU 2.0 Paul Ricard test summary motorsport.com (2007-11-07)
  3. ^ PanAm FR attracting international interest theraceforum.com (2005-03-18)
  4. ^ Technical specifications from the Euroseries
  5. ^ Technical specifications from the UK series]
  6. ^ Nez Championship & Cup Calendar 2007 fia-nez.eu
  7. ^ NAace la Super Formula Argentina autonoticias.com.ar (February 1, 2005)
  8. ^ En el 2005 no habra Super Renault autonoticias.com.ar (December 28, 2004)
  9. ^ PASSADORE CAMPEÓN F.2000 URUGUAYA autonoticias.com.ar (December 14, 2003)
  10. ^ [1] formula2000light.com
  11. ^ Belgian 1.6 Presentation renault-sport.be
  12. ^ FR Interprovincial, Reglamento frinterprovincial.com
  13. ^ FR1.6 Argentina Campeones apefa.com.ar
  14. ^ Formule Campus et Academy Palmares autosportacademy.com
  15. ^ a b c Driver database driverdb.com
  16. ^ FR1.6 Italia Classifica nuvolari3000.com
  17. ^ PanmGPSeries Anos anteriores sporcar.com
  18. ^ 1600: Colin Braun takes championship motorsport.com (October 27, 2003)
  19. ^ 1600: Series celebrates successful first year motorsport.com (November 27, 2002)
  20. ^ first woman to win a single seater renault-sport.be (2007-10-15)

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] Formula Renault 3.5L

[edit] Formula Renault 2.0L

Europe
America
Asia

[edit] Formula Renault 1.6L

Europe
America

[edit] Other formula powered by Renault

Europe
America
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Formula Renault
World Series by Nissan / Renault
1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 Lights - 2002 • 2003 Lights - 2003 • 2004 Lights - 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008
Formula Renault 2.0L, 1.6L and other
1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008
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