Editing Renault in Formula One (section)

=== Struggles in the V6 turbo-hybrid era and the end of engine supply (2014–2025) ===
{{See also|Renault V6 hybrid Formula One power unit}}
Renault developed a new 1.6-litre [[V6 engine|V6]] [[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] engine, the Renault Energy F1-2014, in line with the new regulations for {{F1|2014}} with APC Pankl Turbosystems GmbH supplying hybrid turbocharger kits for Renault Formula One engines from 2014 until 2020 and [[BorgWarner]] supplying them from 2021 onwards.<ref name="rs13">{{cite web |url=http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-renault-to-fire-up-first-v6-engine-in-2012/ |title=F1: Renault to fire up first V6 engine in 2012 |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=1 January 2012 |publisher=Motorsport.com |archive-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028101041/http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-renault-to-fire-up-first-v6-engine-in-2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Honda F1 to use Merc-linked turbos|url=http://www.news24.com/wheels/honda-f1-to-use-merc-linked-turbos-20140711|work=news24.com|publisher=News 24|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> On 21 June 2013, Renault unveiled its new engine at the [[Paris Air Show]]. It was named Energy F1 after the [[Renault Energy engine|Renault's road car engines]].<ref name="ENEF1">{{cite web |url=http://www.renaultsport.com/RENAULT-REVEALS-RACE-INTENT-2014.html |title=Renault reveals race intent 2014 |date=21 June 2013 |access-date=27 August 2013 |publisher=Renault Group's Motorsport website}}</ref> Red Bull<ref name="RS8">{{cite web |title=Red Bull Racing and Renault |url=http://www.renaultsportf1.com/RED-BULL-RACING-AND-RENAULT.html |work=Renault Sport F1 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405150350/http://www.renaultsportf1.com/RED-BULL-RACING-AND-RENAULT.html |archive-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> and [[Caterham F1|Caterham]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-racing-prix-caterham-engine-idUSBRE98L06G20130922 |title=Caterham extend engine deal with Renault |work=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |date=22 September 2013 |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193810/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/22/us-motor-racing-prix-caterham-engine-idUSBRE98L06G20130922 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> (formerly Lotus Racing/Team Lotus) had deals to use Renault engines until 2016. At the [[2013 Monaco Grand Prix]], [[Scuderia Toro Rosso]] announced a customer engine supply contract with Renault for the original period 2014–2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22673069 |title=Monaco GP: Red Bull's sister team Toro Rosso make engine switch |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=26 May 2013 |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823200459/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22673069 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the early 2014 tests in [[Circuito de Jerez|Jerez]] the new Renault engines showed problems with both the turbo unit and the energy recovery systems.<ref>{{cite news|title=No full fix for Renault's problems before Bahrain Formula 1 test|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112368|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport.com|publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Publications]]|date=30 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renaultsportf1.com/Q-A-with-Rob-White-deputy-managing.html?lang=en |title=Q&A WITH ROB WHITE, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR (TECHNICAL), RENAULT SPORT F1 |work=Renault Sport F1 |publisher=Renault Group Motorsport website |access-date=12 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222002039/http://www.renaultsportf1.com/Q-A-with-Rob-White-deputy-managing.html?lang=en |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> Partial fixes were introduced for the last pre-season tests in [[Bahrain International Circuit|Bahrain]], especially software upgrades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renaultsportf1.com/Testing-update.html |title=Testing update |work=Renault Sport F1 |publisher=Renault Group Motorsport website |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315073044/http://www.renaultsportf1.com/Testing-update.html |archive-date=15 March 2014 }}</ref> In the early part of the season, the Energy F1-2014 was the subject of various criticisms for its poor reliability and lack of top speed,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-renault-melbourne-problems-resolved-145007905--f1.html |title=Formula 1 – Renault: Most of Melbourne problems are resolved |work=uk.eurosport.com |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017142356/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-renault-melbourne-problems-resolved-145007905--f1.html |archive-date=17 October 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113219 |title= Red Bull says F1 title hopes rest on Renault engine's progress |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |work=Autosport.com |publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Publications]] |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/f1/news/201928/1/grosjean-renault-problems-not-acceptable.html |title=Grosjean: Renault Sport F1 problems "not acceptable"  |publisher=Crash.net |date=9 April 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> including one by Red Bull's boss [[Christian Horner]] which described the performance as "unacceptable" after an unsuccessful team's home race in [[2014 Austrian Grand Prix|Austria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114598 |title=Red Bull: Renault form is unacceptable |work=Autosport.com |publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Publications]] |author=Noble, Jonathan |date=22 June 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> Renault introduced revised components and more software upgrades trying to reduce the gap with rivals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sport/formula-one/renault-promising-f1-engine-upgrades-for-canada-to-improve-reliability-and-driveability/story-e6frf3zl-1226942652838 |title= Renault promising F1 engine upgrades for Canada to improve reliability and driveability |work=foxsports.com.au |first=William |last=Dale |publisher=Fox Sports Australia |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, Red Bull unilaterally terminated their contract for 2016 with Renault, alleging a lack of performance from the Renault Energy F1-2015 compared to rivals.<ref name="divorce">{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12475/9996039/red-bull-will-quit-f1-if-they-dont-get-a-competitive-engine-in-2016|title=Red Bull will quit F1 if they don't get a competitive engine in 2016|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=18 September 2015|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> However, they later renegotiated their agreement, as plans from Red Bull to get a more competitive power unit failed. In 2016, the Renault power units used by Red Bull would be badged as [[TAG Heuer]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barretto|first1=Lawrence|title=Red Bull announces it will have TAG Heuer-branded F1 engine in 2016|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122128|website=autosport.com|access-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204100446/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122128|archive-date=4 December 2015|date=4 December 2015}}</ref> Renault then terminated their 2016 engine supply agreement with Scuderia Toro Rosso, and the team returned to their former supplier Ferrari.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scuderiatororosso.com/en_IT/article/2016-engine-and-drivers|title=2016: Engine and Drivers|date=4 December 2015|archive-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204162026/http://www.scuderiatororosso.com/en_IT/article/2016-engine-and-drivers|publisher=Scuderia Toro Rosso}}</ref> During 2016, [[Red Bull GmbH]] renewed their contract for a further two years for Red Bull Racing. They also announced that Scuderia Toro Rosso would also return to Renault power from 2017. However, the contract still gave Red Bull the option to badge their engines as they wish, with Christian Horner stating that Red Bull Racing would continue with the TAG Heuer badging without Renault works support.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10298019/red-bull-extend-renault-deal-and-toro-rosso-return|title=Sky Sports F1 – Red Bull extend deal, Toro Rosso return.|date=29 May 2016|website=Sky Sports|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

[[File:2018 Chinese Grand Prix FP3 Daniel Ricciardo.jpg|thumb|right|Renault struggled with reliability throughout the hybrid era.]]

In September 2017, Renault and McLaren announced the latter would use customer Renault engines from 2018 to 2020 in order to aid the competitiveness of the Renault works team. Toro Rosso in turn switched to full-works Honda engines, terminating their 2018 customer deal with Renault.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/9/renault-power-for-2018-mclaren--honda-switch-to-toro-rosso.html|title=Renault power for 2018 McLaren, Honda switch to Toro Rosso|date=15 September 2017|website=formula1.com |publisher=Formula One World Championship Limited |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> In June 2018, Red Bull announced they would also use full-works Honda engines from 2019 onwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2018/6/red-bull-and-honda-agree-two-year-engine-deal-.html|title=Red Bull and Honda agree two-year engine deal|website=formula1.com|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> As [[McLaren]] ended its Renault customer partnership due to switching to [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]] power units from 2021 season, Renault returned to single-team engine supply for the first time since the [[2006 Formula One World Championship|2006 season]]. This remained the case until Renault ceased its engine development and supply at the end of the 2025 season. 

The Enstone-based team was rebranded to [[Alpine F1 Team|Alpine]] from the 2021 season onwards while Renault was retained as the engine make, marking the first time since 2015 that the Renault brand would be in Formula One solely as an engine supplier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f1head.nl/teams/renault/|title=Renault Formule 1 team|date=16 September 2023|website=f1head.nl |publisher=F1Head |access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref>

However, despite the rebranding of the Enstone team and a win for Alpine driver [[Esteban Ocon]] at the [[2021 Hungarian Grand Prix]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Ocon fights off Vettel to take shock Hungarian GP win |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ocon-fights-off-vettel-to-take-shock-hungarian-gp-win/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref> the Renault power unit still continued to struggle overall relative to the competition from Honda, Ferrari and Mercedes. During 2023, Alpine – whose [[Alpine A523|A523]] car was on average 0.9 seconds slower than the pacesetting Honda-powered [[Red Bull Racing RB19|Red Bull RB19]] – claimed their car had been cost half a second of performance versus its competitors purely because of the lacklustre Renault power unit. With a power unit more on par with its rivals, Alpine claimed the A523 would have been in performance terms about on par with the [[Mercedes W14]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=F1's worst works team is stuck with its laptime-killing problem |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/alpine-f1-team-engine-deficit-worst-works-team/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref>

Due to the lack of success and unreliability of their engines since the beginning of the V6 turbo-hybrid era in [[2014 Formula One World Championship|2014]], on 29 September 2024, Renault announced that it would be ending its works engine programme and would therefore cease to provide engines for Alpine after 2025, when revised engine regulations are set to be introduced in [[2026 Formula One World Championship|2026]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpine to close works engine programme at the end of 2025 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/alpine-confirm-they-are-to-shut-down-works-engine-programme-at-the-end-of.2Bcubn03U8oaIOMFVggZDl |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website |language=en}}</ref> [[Groupe Renault]] CEO [[Luca de Meo]] has stated financial reasons as the main reason behind ending the programme, claiming that it would be cheaper to purchase a power unit from another manufacturer than continue to develop one in-house.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |title=What we learned about Renault's F1 engine shutdown |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/what-we-learned-about-renaults-f1-engine-shutdown/10661130/ |website=Motorsport.com}}</ref> Said manufacturer would be revealed by Alpine to be [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]], becoming a customer team by utilising their [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|engines]] and gearboxes from the 2026 season onward.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-12 |title=Alpine to use Mercedes power units and gearboxes from 2026 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/alpine-to-use-mercedes-power-units-and-gearbox-from-2026.5jzzbQeHx7aPT3hoP5hRtc |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following the [[2025 Japanese Grand Prix]] held at the [[Suzuka Circuit]] an article by journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm for motorsport website ''The Race'' revealed that during qualifying for that event Alpine and their Renault power units were particularly slow in the second sector of the lap on that track which contains two long straight with the Alpine's losing 0.6 seconds in that sector further emphasising Renault's horsepower issues in the hybrid era with Mitchell-Malm saying such data vindicated Renault's decision to end its engine supply and development at end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=A controversial F1 decision is proving a no-brainer |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/whats-proving-alpines-most-controversial-f1-decision-right/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref>