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 Formula Renault 3.5L official championshipsZone/CountryLast official series nameActive yearsTyres Complementary information Europe World Series by Nissan 1998–2004 Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003–2004 Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Formula Renault 3.5 Series (part of World Series by Renault) 2005-2017 Asia Formula V6 Asia 2006–2009
A Pan Am Formula Renault V6 series was planned to take place in 2005 but it never occurred.PanAm FR attracting international interest theraceforum.com (2005-03-18)
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.Technical specifications from the Euroseries 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.Technical specifications from the UK series 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: 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 Rear: 23/57 x Manufacturer: Michelin control Exceptions Asia: Kumho (since 2002) Brazil: Pirelli (2002–2006) North America: Yokohama (since 2004)
Wheels
Front: 8 inches x Rear: 10 inches x 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 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 Uruguayan 2.0L series is also held (José Pedro Passadores 2003 champion).PASSADORE CAMPEÓN F.2000 URUGUAYA autonoticias.com.ar (14 December 2003) Formula Renault 2.0L official championships EuropeZone/CountryLast official series nameActive yearsTyres Complementary informationWinter Series Alps Italian Formula Renault Championship 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 Former names: Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse, Renault Speed Trophy F2000, (LO) Formula Renault 2.0 Switzerland Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 2002-2015 Created by merger of Middle European and Italian championships. Challenge Formula Renault 2.0 Italia 2011-2012 Replaces Formula Renault 2.0 Italia. Uses cars built between 2000 and 2009. Formula Renault 2.0 Estonia 2008 Only champion: Jesse Krohn (Finland) and P1 Motorsport Europe Challenge Européen de Formule Renault 1972–1974 Replaced the Criterium de Formule Renault (1973–74) Challenge de Formule Renault Europe 1975–1977 Replaced the French Formula Three Championship Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (part of World Series by Renault) 1991-2020 Former names: Rencontres Internationales de Formule Renault, Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Masters. Northern Europe Formula Renault 2.0 Germany 1991–1999,2001–2005 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. Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands 1991–1995,2003–2005 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 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 Secondary class to Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup. Fórmula Júnior FR2.0 Portugal 2008 Only champion: Gonçalo Araújo (Portugal), Winter Series champion: James Calado (UK) 2008 Scandinavia Formula Renault 2.0 Nordic Series 2002–2006 Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Scandinavia. Formula Renault 2.0 Finland 2008–2010 Organized by AKK-Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany. Formula Renault 2.0 Sweden 2009–2010 Organized by Joakim Wiedesheim and Renault Sport Sweden. Spanish Formula Renault Championship 1991–1997 Also known as: Campeonato de España de Fórmula Renault, Replaced by World Series by Nissan in 1998 Formula Renault 2.0 UK 1989–2011 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). 1998-2011 Protyre Formula Renault 1995-2014 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 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, Replaced by F Renault 2.0 WEC. Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup 2008–2009[AutoHebdo n°1745 24 March 2010, page 12, Philippe Sinault (Signature), announced the 2010 Formula Renault WEC cancellation] Replace the French championship. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 WEC. AmericaZone/CountryLast official series nameActive yearsTyresComplementary informationWinter Series Argentine Formula Renault Championship since 1980 Uses Tito 02 chassis Formula Renault 2.0 Brazil 2002–2006 Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Brazil. Latin America Mexican Formula Renault Championship 2002–2004 Replaced by Formula Renault 2000 de America Formula Renault 2000 de America 2005–2007 Replace the Mexican Formula Renault Championship. North America North American Fran Am 2000 Pro Championship 2002–2003 Replaced by Formula TR 2000 Pro Series. Former name: North American Formula Renault 2000. 2003 Formula TR 2000 Pro Series 2004–2007 USA, West coast only. 2004 AsiaZone/CountryLast official series nameActive yearsTyresComplementary informationWinter Series Asia Formula Renault AsiaCup 2002–2019, 2022 Reward the China Formula Renault Challenge including Chinese events only. Reward also the best Asian driver with the Asian Challenge Category.
Winners