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,[1] and was a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas.
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.[2]
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.[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.
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.
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]
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
Small name and flag represent Winter Series winner.
In Belgium 2007 championship, Karline Stala was the first ever woman to win a single seaters championship.[16] She was invited to test the Formula Renault 3.5L at Circuit Paul Ricard in November 2007, like the best 2.0L and 3.5L drivers.[17]
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.[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 low 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.[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]
^"2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Press Kit" (PDF). Renault Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2013.[permanent dead link]
^PanAm FR attracting international interest Archived 28 June 2008 at the Wayback Machinetheraceforum.com (2005-03-18)
^Technical specifications from the Euroseries
^Technical specifications from the UK series
^PASSADORE CAMPEÓN F.2000 URUGUAYA Archived 31 May 2011 at the Wayback Machineautonoticias.com.ar (14 December 2003)
^"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^[AutoHebdo n°1745 24 March 2010, page 12, Philippe Sinault (Signature), announced the 2010 Formula Renault WEC cancellation]