# 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

Formula Renault 3.5L official championships :
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information |
| Europe | World Series by Nissan | 1998–2004 | M | Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series. |
| Europe | Formula Renault V6 Eurocup | 2003–2004 | M | Replaced by Formula Renault 3.5 Series. |
| Europe | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (part of World Series by Renault) | 2005-2017 | M | |
| Asia | Formula V6 Asia | 2006–2009 | M | |
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).
Formula Renault 2.0L official championships :
| Europe |||||||
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information | Winter Series |
| Alps | Italian Formula Renault Championship | 2000–2010 | M | Also known as: Formula Renault 2.0 Italia, Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Italia (2000–04) | 2001-2008 |
| Alps | Formula Renault 2.0 Middle European Championship | 2002–2010 | M | Former names: Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse, Renault Speed Trophy F2000, (LO) Formula Renault 2.0 Switzerland | |
| Alps | Formula Renault 2.0 Alps | 2002-2015 | M | Created by merger of Middle European and Italian championships. | |
| Alps | Challenge Formula Renault 2.0 Italia | 2011-2012 | M | Replaces Formula Renault 2.0 Italia. Uses cars built between 2000 and 2009. | |
| Estonia | Formula Renault 2.0 Estonia | 2008 | M | Only champion: Jesse Krohn (Finland) and P1 Motorsport | |
| Europe | Challenge Européen de Formule Renault | 1972–1974 | M | Replaced the Criterium de Formule Renault (1973–74) |
| Europe | Challenge de Formule Renault Europe | 1975–1977 | M | Replaced the French Formula Three Championship |
| Europe | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (part of World Series by Renault) | 1991-2020 | M | Former names: Rencontres Internationales de Formule Renault, Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, Formula Renault 2000 Masters.[1] | |
| Northern Europe | Formula Renault 2.0 Germany | 1991–1999, 2001–2005 | 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] | |
| Northern Europe | Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands | 1991–1995, 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. | |
| Northern Europe | Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup | 2006-2018 | M | Replaced the German and Dutch championships. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. Organized by MdH Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany. | |
| Northern Europe | Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup FR2000 | 2010 | M | Secondary class to Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup. | |
| Portugal | Fórmula Júnior FR2.0 Portugal | 2008 | M | Only champion: Gonçalo Araújo (Portugal), Winter Series champion: James Calado (UK) | 2008 |
| Scandinavia | Formula Renault 2.0 Nordic Series | 2002–2006 | M | Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Scandinavia. | |
| Scandinavia | Formula Renault 2.0 Finland | 2008–2010 | M | Organized by AKK-Motorsport and Renault Sport Germany. | |
| Scandinavia | Formula Renault 2.0 Sweden | 2009–2010 | M | Organized by Joakim Wiedesheim and Renault Sport Sweden. | |
| Spain | Spanish Formula Renault Championship | 1991–1997 | M | Also known as: Campeonato de España de Fórmula Renault, Replaced by World Series by Nissan in 1998 | |
| United Kingdom | Formula Renault 2.0 UK | 1989–2011 | M | 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).[1] | 1998-2011 |
| United Kingdom | Protyre Formula Renault | 1995-2014 | M | 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 | M | 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[1], Replaced by F Renault 2.0 WEC. | |
| Western Europe | Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup | 2008–2009 | M | Replace the French championship. Also named Formula Renault 2.0 WEC. | |
| America |||||||
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information | Winter Series |
| Argentina | Argentine Formula Renault Championship | since 1980 | P | Uses Tito 02 chassis | |
| Brazil | Formula Renault 2.0 Brazil | 2002–2006 | P | Former name: Formula Renault 2000 Brazil. | |
| Latin America | Mexican Formula Renault Championship | 2002–2004 | M | Replaced by Formula Renault 2000 de America | |
| Latin America | Formula Renault 2000 de America | 2005–2007 | M | Replace the Mexican Formula Renault Championship. | |
| 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. | 2003 |
| North America | Formula TR 2000 Pro Series | 2004–2007 | Y | USA, West coast only. | 2004 |
| Asia |||||||
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information | Winter Series |
| Asia | Formula Renault AsiaCup | 2002–2019, 2022 | K | Reward the China Formula Renault Challenge including Chinese events only. Reward also the best Asian driver with the Asian Challenge Category. | |

### 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

Formula Renault 1.6L official championships :
| Europe ||||||
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information |
| Belgium | Formula Renault 1.6 Belgium | 2003–2007 | M | Former name: Formula Renault 1600 Belgium. Reguled by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium |
| France | F4 Eurocup 1.6 (part of World Series by Renault) | 1993-2017 | M | Former names: Championnat de France FFSA Formule Campus Renault Elf, Formul'Academy Euro Series. The series is managed by La Filière Elf since 1993, La Filière FFSA since 2001 and by the Auto Sport Academy based near the Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans since 2008. |
| Italy | Formula Junior 1.6 powered by Renault | 2002–2006 | M | Former name: Formula Junior 1600 by Renault. In 2007, it was replaced by Formula Monza 1.6 and 1.2 powered by Fiat engine. |
| Spain | Formula Renault 1.6 Spain | 2002–2004 | M | Former name: Formula Junior 1600 Spain |
| Western Europe | Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior | 2013–2014 | K | |
| Northern Europe | Formula Renault 1.6 Nordic | 2013–2015 | D M | Series supporting STCC. Used Dunlop tyres during 2013–2014 season, changed to Michelin for 2015 following its parent series. Will continue in 2016 without Renault support. |
| America ||||||
| Zone/Country | Last official series name | Active years | Tyres | Complementary information |
| Argentina | Formula Renault Elf 1.6 Argentina | 2007-2009 | M | Replaced in 2010 by FR 2.0 |
| Latin America | Formula Junior 1600 | 2005–2007 | M | |
| North America | North American Fran Am 1600 Pro Championship | 2002–2003 | M | Replaced by Formula TR 1600 Pro Series |
| North America | Formula TR 1600 Pro Series | 2004–2007 | Y | Held on west coast only. |

### Winners

Formula Renault 1.6L championships winners :
| Year | Argentina | France | Belgium | Italy | Latin America | North America | Spain |
| 2010 | Nicolás Trosset | Stoffel Vandoorne | | | | | |
| 2009 | Facundo Ardusso | Benjamin Bailly | | | | | |
| 2008 | Guido Falaschi | Arthur Pic | | | | | |
| 2007 | Mariano Werner | Jean-Éric Vergne | Karline Stala | | Gerardo Nieto | Ryan Booth | |
| 2006 | Mariano Werner | Kevin Estre | Craig Dolby | Augusto Scalbi | Juan Esteban Jacobo | Parker Kligerman | |
| 2005 | Lucas Benamo | Jean Karl Vernay | Pierre Sevrin | Pasquale Di Sabatino Davide Ruzzon | Alfonso Toledano Jr. | Carl Skerlong | |
| 2004 | Ezequiel Bosio | Jacky Ferré | Maxime Soulet | Michael Herck | | Marco Andretti | Michael Herck |
| 2003 | Maximiliano Merlino | Laurent Groppi | Jérôme d'Ambrosio | Marino Spinozzi Domenico Capuano | | Colin Braun | Juan Antonio del Pino |
| 2002 | Rafael Morgenstern | Loïc Duval | | Barbieri | | Tim Barber | Adrián Vallés |
| 2001 | Rafael Morgenstern | Bruce Lorgeré-Roux | | | | | |
| 2000 | Esteban Guerrieri | Stéphane Morat | | | | | |
| 1999 | Mariano Acebal | Adam Jones | | | | | |
| 1998 | Gabriel Ponce de León | Westley Barber | | | | | |
| 1997 | Mauro Fartuszek | Marcel Costa | | | | | |
| 1996 | Martín Basso | Philippe Benoliel | | | | | |
| 1995 | Brian Smith | Renaud Malinconi | | | | | |
| 1994 | Guillermo Di Giacinti | Franck Montagny | | | | | |
| 1993 | Juan Manuel Silva | Sébastien Philippe | | | | | |
| 1992 | Norberto Della Santina | | | | | | |
| 1991 | Omar Martinez | | | | | | |
| 1990 | Omar Martinez | | | | | | |
| 1989 | Sergio Solmi | | | | | | |
| 1988 | Luis Belloso | | | | | | |
| 1987 | Daniel Neviani | | | | | | |
| 1986 | Gabriel Furlán | | | | | | |
| 1985 | Miguel Angel Etchegaray | | | | | | |
| 1984 | Néstor Gurini | | | | | | |
| 1983 | Néstor Gurini | | | | | | |
| 1982 | Roberto Urretavizcaya | | | | | | |
| 1981 | Carlos Lauricella | | | | | | |
| 1980 | Víctor Rosso | | | | | | |
* Only white square represent held championships.
* 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. 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.

### 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. 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. The series used Renault engines with constructor Tatuus and ran on Michelin provided tyres.

### Winners

For GP Series winners, see GP2 Series, GP2 Asia Series and GP3 Series pages.
Other formulas powered by Renault championships winners :
| Year | Austria Formel Renault Cup | Formule Renault 2.0 North European Zone | Formula 2000 Light | Formula Asia 2.0 | Fórmula Super Renault/ Renault Plus | Fórmula 4 Metropolitana/ Nacional | Fórmula Interprovencial | LATAM Challenge Series |
| 2010 | Grégory Striebig | Daniel Roos | Stefano Turchetto Adolfo Bottura | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 2009 | Vanaselja Tönis | Felix Rosenqvist | Thiemo Storz (1) Francisco Weiler | not held | Alan Castellano | Emiliano González | Darío Elisei | André Solano |
| 2008 | Grégory Striebig | Jesse Krohn | Mario Bertolotti Martin Scuncio | Felix Rosenqvist | Mario Gerbaldo | Alan Castellano | Fabricio Fernandez | Giancarlo Serenelli |
| 2007 | Grégory Striebig | not held | not held | not held | Esteban Sarry | Francesco Troncoso (N) | Alejandro Pancello | not held |
| 2006 | not held | not held | not held | not held | Eric Borsini | not held | not held | not held |
| 2005 | not held | not held | not held | not held | not held | not held | not held | not held |
| 2004 | not held | not held | not held | not held | Ivo Perabó | not held | not held | not held |
| 2003 | not held | not held | not held | not held | Federico Lifschitz | not held | not held | not held |
| 2002 | not held | not held | not held | not held | Matías Rossi | not held | not held | not held |
| 2001 | not held | not held | not held | not held | ? | not held | not held | not held |
| 2000 | not held | not held | not held | not held | ? | not held | not held | not held |
| 1999 | not held | not held | not held | not held | ? | not held | not held | not held |
| 1998 | not held | not held | not held | not held | ? | not held | not held | not held |
| 1997 | not held | not held | not held | not held | Christian Ledesma | not held | not held | not held |
* (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.