Gordini

Gordini is a French sports car manufacturer. The firm was founded by Amédée Gordini nicknamed "Le Sorcier" (The Sorcerer).

Gordini competed in Formula One from 1950 to 1956.

Gordini worked with Renault as an engine tuner and finally sold his firm to Renault which entered Renault-Gordini cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1962 until 1969.

The Gordini brand has been owned by Renault since 1969.

Gordini-badged sport versions were produced based on Renault models like the Renault Dauphine, Renault 8, Renault 12, Renault Twingo and the Renault Clio.

In November 2009, Renault announced that it will be reviving the Gordini name for an exclusive line of hot hatches, similar to how Fiat revived Abarth.[1]

Contents

Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1950 Simca Gordini Type 15 Gordini Straight-4 GBR MON 500 SUI BEL FRA ITA
Robert Manzon Ret 4 Ret
Maurice Trintignant Ret Ret
1951 Simca Gordini Type 15 Gordini Straight-4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP
André Simon Ret Ret 6 Ret
Robert Manzon Ret 7 Ret 9
Maurice Trintignant Ret Ret Ret Ret
Aldo Gordini Ret
1952 Gordini Type 16 Gordini Straight-6 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA
Robert Manzon Ret 3 4 Ret Ret 5 14
Jean Behra 3 Ret 7 5 Ret Ret
Johnny Claes 8
Prince Bira Ret 11
Maurice Trintignant Ret Ret 6 Ret
Simca Gordini Type 15 Simca Straight-4 Max de Terra Ret
Gordini Straight-4 Prince Bira Ret 10
Johnny Claes Ret 14 DNQ
Robert O'Brien NC
Maurice Trintignant 5
Paul Frère Ret
1953 Gordini Type 16 Gordini Straight-6 ARG 500 NED BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA
Jean Behra 6 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret
Maurice Trintignant 7† 6 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret 5
Harry Schell 7† Ret 7 Ret Ret Ret 9
Robert Manzon Ret
Carlos Menditeguy Ret
Roberto Mieres NC Ret 6
Fred Wacker 9
Simca Gordini Type 15 Gordini Straight-4 Pablo Birger Ret
Georges Berger Ret
1954 Gordini Type 16 Gordini Straight-6 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP
Jean Behra DSQ Ret 6 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret
Élie Bayol 5
Roger Loyer Ret
Paul Frère Ret Ret Ret
André Pilette 5 9 Ret
Jacques Pollet Ret Ret
Georges Berger Ret
Clemar Bucci Ret Ret Ret Ret
Fred Wacker Ret 6
1955 Gordini Type 16 Gordini Straight-6 ARG MON 500 BEL NED GBR ITA
Élie Bayol Ret Ret
Jesus Iglesias Ret
Pablo Birger Ret
Robert Manzon Ret Ret Ret
Jacques Pollet 7 10 Ret
Hernando da Silva Ramos 8 Ret Ret
Mike Sparken 7
Jean Lucas Ret
1956 Gordini Type 32 Gordini Straight-8 ARG MON 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA
André Pilette 6† DNS
Élie Bayol 6†
Robert Manzon 9 9 Ret Ret
Hernando da Silva Ramos 8 Ret Ret
Andre Milhoux Ret
Gordini Type 16 Gordini Straight-6 Hernando da Silva Ramos 5
Robert Manzon Ret
André Pilette 11
André Simon 9

(† indicates shared drive)

2010: Renault relaunches the Gordini brand

Announced in 2009 and expected for 2010, new models bearing the Gordini stamp are about to broaden the available range from Renault in the compact sports vehicle segment. The Gordini brand aims to position itself as chic and sporty – and will be maintaining exclusivity and sportiness as its core values.

To make the Gordini myth a reality once again, Renault has, of course, relied on Renault Sport Technologies (RST) for support.[2] This sports-based Renault subsidiary is protecting the Gordini heritage by means of two acknowledged areas of expertise: road racing and the development of sports-based spin-offs.

The Twingo Gordini RS

Premiered on 24 November 2009, the Twingo Gordini R.S. is the first modern Renault to bear the Gordini label. It comes in a Malte Blue lacquered metallic finish, with a luminous shimmer and the two legendary white stripes.

Interior specification includes:

• Renault Sport seats with extra lateral support, plus blue and black quilted, Gordini-badged leather upholstery
• blue leather door panel inserts
• steering wheel in black and blue leather, with two white stripes to indicate the central position
• gear lever with blue bellows and Gordini-badged knob
• blue rev counter with white surround
• trimmed dashboard cowl with visible stitching

Renault Sport features include:

• a Sport chassis with exclusive 17-inch wheels
• 1.6-litre 133 hp petrol engine
.

The Twingo Gordini R.S. should be available commercially from spring 2010.

References