Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Renault in Formula One
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
=== Renault F1 Team and Lotus Renault GP (2002–2011): The rise and fall of the first Enstone era === {{Further|2002 Formula One World Championship|2003 Formula One World Championship|2004 Formula One World Championship|2005 Formula One World Championship|2006 Formula One World Championship|2007 Formula One World Championship|2008 Formula One World Championship|2009 Formula One World Championship|2010 Formula One World Championship|2011 Formula One World Championship}} ==== Purchase of and transition from Benetton Formula (2000–2001) ==== On 16 March 2000, the [[Renault-Nissan Alliance]] through the Renault brand purchased Benetton Formula Limited for $120 million, to return to Formula One.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Autoweek|date=16 March 2000|title=Renault buys Benetton F1 team|url=http://autoweek.com/news/a2124306/renault-buys-benetton-f1-team/|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Autoweek|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>https://www.grandprix.com/news/renault-buys-benetton.html</ref> The history of the team acquired by Renault started in 1981 as the [[Toleman]] Motorsport team, based in [[Witney]], Oxfordshire, England. In 1986, the team was renamed to [[Benetton Formula]], following its purchase in 1985 by the [[Benetton family]]. In 1992/3 the team moved a few miles to a new base in [[Enstone]]. Renault continued to use the Benetton constructor name for the {{F1|2000}} and the {{F1|2001}} seasons, with the Renault name returning in 2001 as an engine brand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benetton|url=https://www.racing-statistics.com/en/constructors/benetton|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Formula 1 Statistics|language=en}}</ref> When reporting the purchase the ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' commented that "the team will not race under the Renault name until it is ready to win and reap the marketing benefits".<ref>{{cite news|first = Brad|last = Spurgeon|title = Teams Rev Up for Battle in the Brand-Name Game|work=International Herald Tribune|page = 24|date = 24 March 2000}}</ref> It was not until 2002 that this name change occurred.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Renault R202 – F1technical.net|url=https://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/859/renault-r202|access-date=10 September 2021|website=www.f1technical.net}}</ref> ==== A promising first year under a new name (2002) ==== [[File:Button Silverstone 2002.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jenson Button]] at the [[2002 British Grand Prix]]]] In {{F1|2002}}, Benetton was rebranded as Renault F1 and contested the season with drivers [[Jarno Trulli]] and [[Jenson Button]] who scored 23 points during the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2002 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2002-f1-world-championship/|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Motorsport Database – Motor Sport Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref> As a result of rebranding, Renault received a [[France|French]] nationality license instead of [[Italy|Italian]]. ==== Emerging frontrunner (2003) ==== [[File:Jarno Trulli 2003.jpg|thumb|[[Jarno Trulli]] driving for Renault at the [[2003 United States Grand Prix]].]] Despite outscoring his teammate during 2002, Button was dropped by Renault in {{F1|2003}}. His replacement was Spain's [[Fernando Alonso]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 June 2002|title=Button to lose Renault seat|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2058395.stm|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref> who had been considered impressive as a test driver the previous year. Alonso won the [[2003 Hungarian Grand Prix]], the first time Renault had won a Grand Prix since the [[1983 Austrian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 August 2003|title=Hungarian GP 2003 – Alonso sweeps the field.|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/race-report/46853/1/hungarian-gp-2003-alonso-sweeps-the-field|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Crash|language=en}}</ref> Renault was innovative during this period producing non-standard designs such as the 111° 10-cylinder engine for the 2003 RS23 which was designed to effectively lower the centre of gravity of the engine and thus improve the car's handling. This eventually proved too unreliable and heavy, so Renault returned to a more conventional development route. ==== Monaco glory and third in Constructors' Championship (2004) ==== [[File:Fernando Alonso 2004 USA.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Fernando Alonso]] driving for Renault at the [[2004 United States Grand Prix]].]] In {{F1|2004}}, the team were contenders for second place in the Constructors' Championship. Trulli won the [[2004 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco Grand Prix]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petric|first=Darjan|date=23 May 2021|title=2004 Monaco GP – Trulli wins to stop Schumacher's winning streak|url=https://maxf1.net/en/2004-monaco-gp-trulli-wins-to-stop-schumachers-winning-streak/|access-date=10 September 2021|website=MAXF1net|language=en-US}}</ref> but his relationship with Renault (particularly with team principal and Trulli's ex-manager [[Flavio Briatore]]) deteriorated after he was consistently off the pace in the latter half of the year, and made claims of favouritism in the team towards Alonso (though the two teammates themselves remained friendly). Commentators regularly point to the [[2004 French Grand Prix|French Grand Prix]] as the final straw for Briatore, where Trulli was overtaken by [[Rubens Barrichello]] in the final stages of the last lap, costing Renault a double podium finish at their home Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petric|first=Darjan|date=4 July 2021|title=2004 French GP – Schumacher beats Alonso with four pitstops|url=https://maxf1.net/en/2004-french-gp-schumacher-beats-alonso-with-four-pitstops/|access-date=10 September 2021|website=MAXF1net|language=en-US}}</ref> He subsequently announced he was joining [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota]] for the following year and in fact left Renault early,<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 August 2012|title=Trulli quits Renault|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/trulli-quits-renault-48970.html|access-date=10 September 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> driving the Toyota in the last two races of the 2004 season. Hoping to secure second place in the Constructors' Championship, Renault replaced Trulli with {{F1|1997}} World Champion [[Jacques Villeneuve]] for the final three races.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2004|title=Villeneuve: No regrets over Renault decision.|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/50538/1/villeneuve-no-regrets-over-renault-decision|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Crash|language=en}}</ref> However, Villeneuve – away from F1 racing for almost an entire season and struggling to acclimatise quickly to racing at the premier level – did not impress, and the team finished third behind Villeneuve's former team [[British American Racing|BAR]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2004|title=Renault: Villeneuve signing was a mistake.|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/50537/1/renault-villeneuve-signing-was-a-mistake|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Crash|language=en}}</ref> ==== Back to back double championship success (2005–2006) ==== [[File:Fernando Alonso 2005 Britain.jpg|left|thumb|[[Fernando Alonso]] driving for Renault at the [[2005 British Grand Prix]].]] [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] was Trulli's replacement for the {{F1|2005}} season. He took advantage of a rain-affected qualifying session to win the first race of the season, the [[2005 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]]. [[Fernando Alonso]] then won the next three races to build a considerable lead in the Drivers' World Championship, thereby doing the same for Renault in the Constructors' Championship. Meanwhile, Fisichella failed to finish several races. After the [[2005 San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino Grand Prix]], Renault and Alonso's championship leads came under attack from a fast-but-fragile [[McLaren]]-[[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]] team and Kimi Räikkönen respectively for the Drivers' Championship. McLaren took the lead of the Constructors' World Championship by securing a one-two finish at the [[2005 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian Grand Prix]], but that was to be the race in which Alonso secured the Drivers' title, becoming the youngest ever driver to do so. This achievement was followed by a win in [[2005 Chinese Grand Prix|China]] to secure the Constructors' World Championship for Renault after McLaren driver [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]'s car was badly damaged by a drain cover coming loose on the track. This broke [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]'s six-year stranglehold on that title. It was the first time Renault had won the title as a manufacturer, and Renault became only the second French constructor (after the triumph of [[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] in {{F1|1969}}) and the first [[List of Formula One constructors#Team's nationality|French-licensed team]] to win the title.<ref>[[Jackie Stewart]] won the title in {{F1|1969}} with the [[Matra MS80]] car built by the French constructor Matra, but the car was entered by the British [[Privateer (motorsport)|privateer team]] [[Tyrrell Racing|Matra International]].</ref> [[File:Renault RS26 engine 2006.jpg|thumb|right|The Renault team's {{F1|2006}} engine, the RS26. Renault's first [[V8 engine]] in Formula One.]] [[File:2006 Malaysian Grand Prix.jpg|thumb|left|[[Giancarlo Fisichella]] won the [[2006 Malaysian Grand Prix]] for Renault.]] [[Fernando Alonso]] and [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] were retained for 2006, while test driver [[Franck Montagny]] was replaced by [[Heikki Kovalainen]]. The team's 2006 contender, the R26 – featuring a seven-speed gearbox made of [[titanium]], was unveiled at a launch event on 31 January. Alonso won the opening [[2006 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain Grand Prix]] as well as the [[2006 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]] and finished second in [[2006 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]] behind teammate Fisichella to claim Renault's first one-two finish since [[René Arnoux]] and [[Alain Prost]] in 1982. Alonso took two more second places, and then wins at his home Grand Prix in [[2006 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]], and at the [[2006 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco Grand Prix]]. Fisichella took 8th, 6th and 3rd-place finishes in the [[2006 San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino Grand Prix]], [[2006 European Grand Prix|European Grand Prix]] and the [[2006 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]]. The team celebrated its 200th Grand Prix at Silverstone, which was won by Alonso. As the season progressed to its North American stint, Alonso won the [[2006 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian Grand Prix]] in Montreal, Canada. At the [[2006 United States Grand Prix|U.S Grand Prix]], Ferrari had a distinct performance advantage over the whole weekend. However, Renault were the fastest of all the [[Michelin]] runners. Fisichella finished 3rd, while Alonso finished 5th. [[File:Fernando Alonso 2006 Canada.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fernando Alonso]] on his way to victory at the [[2006 Canadian Grand Prix]].]] At the [[2006 French Grand Prix|French Grand Prix]], Renault was expected to be faster than Ferrari, but Ferrari again had the advantage. Alonso ran third for most of the race, unable to challenge the Ferraris of Schumacher and Massa. However, a tactical switch to a two-stop strategy enabled him to pass Massa and finish second. On 21 July 2006, the FIA banned the use of [[Tuned mass damper|mass damper]] systems, developed and first used by Renault and subsequently used by 7 other teams, including Ferrari. Flavio Briatore claimed that [[McLaren]] had raised the issue of the system's legality with the FIA.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Bishop | first = Matt | year = 2006 | title = The Long Interview: Flavio Briatore | journal=F1 Racing | issue = October | pages = 66–76}}</ref> The system used a spring-mounted mass in the nose cone to reduce the sensitivity of the car to vibration. This was particularly effective in corners and over kerbs to keep the tyres in closer contact to the track surface than they would otherwise be.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pitpass.com/public/article.php?fes_art_id=28765|title=FIA bans controversial damper system|work=pitpass.com|publisher=Pitpass|date=21 July 2006|access-date=1 October 2010}}</ref> However race stewards at the [[2006 German Grand Prix|German Grand Prix]] deemed the system legal. The FIA announced its intention to appeal that decision and Renault announced they would not race with the system for fear of retrospective punishment if the appeal was upheld. Renault's performance at the German Grand Prix was one of their worst of the season; however, the team blamed blistering of their Michelin tyres rather than the loss of the mass damper system. The FIA International Court of Appeal met in Paris on 22 August 2006, to examine the appeal made by the FIA against the decision of the German Grand Prix stewards. The Court ruled that the use of the device known as a Tuned Mass Damper is an infringement of Article 3.15 of the Formula One Technical Regulations. Points scored in the [[2006 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian Grand Prix]] secured the Constructors' Championship for Renault in 2006. On 16 October 2006, Renault announced that the Dutch banking giant [[ING Group|ING]] would replace [[Mild Seven]] as title sponsor for three years starting in {{F1|2007}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061016183914/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37725 ING replaces Mild Seven at Renault]. Retrieved 16 October 2006.</ref> ==== Decline in fortunes without Alonso (2007) ==== [[File:Giancarlo Fisichella 2007 (crop).jpg|thumb|256x256px|[[Giancarlo Fisichella]] driving for Renault at the [[2007 Malaysian Grand Prix]].]] Renault confirmed [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] and [[Heikki Kovalainen]] as their race drivers for 2007 with [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]] and [[Ricardo Zonta]] as test drivers. The car for 2007, the [[Renault R27|R27]], was unveiled on 24 January 2007 in Amsterdam and bore a new yellow, blue, orange and white livery in deference to the corporate colours of ING, the Dutch financial group based in Amsterdam. Renault engines were also supplied to the [[Red Bull Racing]] team for the 2007 season. Renault struggled in comparison to their form in previous seasons in [[2007 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]], with [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] finishing the race in 5th place. Rookie [[Heikki Kovalainen]] struggled even more than the Italian, spinning his car as he chased [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota's]] [[Ralf Schumacher]] and ending up in 10th place. Results did not improve until the start of the European season, although both drivers finished in the points in the next race at [[2007 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]]. Heikki Kovalainen struggled in [[2007 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]] too, although the gap between himself and Fisichella at the end of the race was not as great as was seen at Melbourne, with Fisichella finishing only 8th. The team's pace began to pick up in Barcelona, with both drivers making it into Q3, setting competitive lap times in the race (4th fastest lap for Kovalainen) and looking set for 5th and 8th, only to be hampered by an identical problem on both fuel rigs, forcing both drivers to make extra pitstops which dropped them back to 7th and 9th. On 8 November 2007, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] accused Renault F1 of having [[McLaren]] F1 technical information in their possession.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160105090505/http://uk.reuters.com/article/motor-racing-renault-idUKL0819133920071108?feedType=RSS&feedName=motorSportsNews Renault Charged With Having McLaren Data]. Retrieved 8 November 2007.</ref> According to the charge, the information in hand "''included the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren car as well as details of McLaren's fuelling system, gear assembly, hydraulic control system and suspension''". The hearing on this matter took place in [[Monaco]] on 6 December 2007. The charge faced by Renault F1 – breaching of article 151c of the Sporting Regulations – was the same as that faced by McLaren earlier on in 2007 in the [[2007 Formula One espionage controversy|espionage controversy involving Ferrari & McLaren]]. The FIA found Renault F1 in breach of article 151c but did not penalise the team. ==== A season of mixed form (2008) ==== [[File:Singapore grand prix 2008 alonso win.jpg|thumb|237x237px|[[Fernando Alonso]] cruising to victory at the [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix]].]] It was announced on 10 December 2007 that [[Fernando Alonso]] would rejoin with Renault F1 for {{F1|2008}}. Alonso drove alongside promoted test driver [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]] and was believed to have secured number one status within the team. The team similarly started in 2008 as the year before; Fernando Alonso managed to garner fourth at the opening [[2008 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]] as a result of a mistake from a previous Renault employee Heikki Kovalainen. However, the form was still short of 2006 by a large degree over the first half of the 2008 season. The team brought new parts to the [[2008 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]], including a new engine-cover, dubbed the "Shark-fin", similar to the one introduced by Red Bull on their [[Red Bull RB4|RB4]]. Alonso managed to qualify on the front row for that race on a light fuel-load, yet retired with an engine failure halfway through. Alonso's front row qualifying performance in Spain was a rare moment of achievement from the former World Champion. Both cars retired at the [[2008 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian Grand Prix]] and [[Nelsinho Piquet|Nelson Piquet Jr.]], who retired from six of the first nine races, failed to score until the [[2008 French Grand Prix|French Grand Prix]]. The [[2008 German Grand Prix|German Grand Prix]] heralded a change in the team's fortune. Piquet Jr. benefited from the deployment of the safety car to secure Renault's first podium of the year with a second. Both drivers scored at the [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian Grand Prix]] although they failed to pick up anything at Valencia two weeks later. Two fourth places for Alonso in Belgium and Italy were a prelude to the [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore Grand Prix]], in which Alonso profited from the early crash of his teammate (later revealed to be a deliberate crash to aid the Spaniard. See: [[Renault Formula One crash controversy]]) to claim his first victory of the season, and Renault's first since the [[2006 Japanese Grand Prix]]. This victory made Alonso and Renault the first-ever winners of a Formula One race held under floodlights. Renault underlined their return to the front at the subsequent [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grand Prix]], in which Alonso steered clear of [[Lewis Hamilton]]'s first-corner mistake to record another win. Piquet Jr. finished fourth in the team's best performance of the season. Further double points finish in [[2008 Chinese Grand Prix|China]] was followed by Alonso's second-place finish at the season-ending [[2008 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian Grand Prix]]. The [[Renault R28]] was believed by many insiders to have overtaken [[BMW in Formula One|BMW Sauber]] by season's end as the closest challenger to the domination of the sport by Ferrari and McLaren. {{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} ==== A season of on-track mediocrity and off track scandal (2009) ==== [[File:Renault R29 left 2017 Museo Fernando Alonso.jpg|thumb|left|232x232px|Renault R29 left 2017 Museo Fernando Alonso]] [[File:Romain Grosjean 2009 Japan 1st Qualify.jpg|thumb|right|Then rookie [[Romain Grosjean]] driving for Renault at the [[2009 Japanese Grand Prix]].]] Renault entered the season with high hopes of challenging both world titles. Although Alonso managed four points finishes in the first six races, it was soon clear that this target was unrealistic. By mid-season, it appeared as though Renault were making progress, with Alonso setting the fastest lap in [[2009 German Grand Prix|Germany]] and securing pole position in [[2009 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]], albeit on a light fuel load. However, Alonso was forced to retire early in Hungary due to a fuel pump failure, after a front wheel came loose as it was incorrectly fitted at his first pit stop. At [[2009 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] Alonso again looked like scoring a podium for the team but had to retire with another problem with one of his wheels which was damaged as a result of a first-lap clash with [[Adrian Sutil]]. Piquet performed poorly in the first half of the season and was replaced by [[Romain Grosjean]] for the last third of the season. Neither Piquet nor Grosjean managed to score a point. A podium in [[2009 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]] was little consolation in what had been a frustrating and controversial season for the team. Renault had been suspended for one race (the 2009 European Grand Prix) due to the incident involving [[Fernando Alonso]]'s wheel not being fitted properly in the [[2009 Hungarian Grand Prix]], however, this has been overturned on appeal following a decision from the FIA on 17 August 2009.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090819102635/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/ica/2009/Pages/ica_170809a.aspx International Court of Appeal – Decision]. Retrieved 17 August 2009. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8169649.stm Renault suspended from next race]. Retrieved 26 July 2009.</ref> On 4 August, [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]] was told by Renault he would not continue driving for them for the rest of the season. "I have received notice from Renault of its intention to stop me from driving for them in the current F1 season", read a statement on Piquet's website. Piquet had described the {{F1|2009}} season as "the worst period of my career" and had criticised team boss [[Flavio Briatore]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8166688.stm|title=Piquet Jr dropped by Renault team |date=4 August 2009|work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 August 2009}}</ref> He was replaced by test driver [[Romain Grosjean]] as of the {{F1 GP|2009|European}}.<ref>{{cite news|last=English|first=Steven|title=Renault confirms Grosjean in, Piquet out|publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]]|work=autosport.com|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77740|date=18 August 2009|access-date=18 August 2009}}</ref> After his first podium of the year in Singapore, [[Fernando Alonso]] confirmed that he would be leaving Renault, moving to [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] in 2010. ;Race rigging allegations {{Main|Renault Formula One crash controversy}} {{quote box | quote = The [[ING Group|ING]] Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] concerning the [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix]]. It also wishes to state that its managing director, [[Flavio Briatore]] and its executive director of engineering, [[Pat Symonds]], have left the team. | source = Renault F1 statement, 16 September 2009<ref name="RenaultStatement16Sep09">{{cite web|url=http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/_2009/team/index.php#/team/newsdesk/communiques/ |title=ING Renault F1 Team Statement – 16 September 2009 |publisher=ING Renault F1 |date=16 September 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921033111/http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/_2009/team/index.php |archive-date=21 September 2009 }}</ref> | align = right | width = 27% }} During the 2009 season, the actions of Renault F1 during the 2008 season were examined over alleged race-fixing. The issue surrounded [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]]'s crash during the [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix]] which Renault teammate [[Fernando Alonso]] went on to win. At the time, Piquet Jr. had characterised the incident as a simple mistake. After Piquet Jr. left the Renault team in August 2009, allegations surfaced that this crash had been deliberate, to give an advantage to Alonso. Following a [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA) investigation in which Piquet Jr. stated he had been asked by Renault team principal [[Flavio Briatore]] and engineer [[Pat Symonds]] to stage the crash, on 4 September 2009 Renault were charged with conspiracy and race-fixing and were due to face the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]] in Paris on 21 September 2009. Initially, Renault and Briatore stated they would take legal action against Piquet Jr. for making false allegations, however, before the meeting, Renault announced they would not contest the charges, and that Briatore and Symonds had left the team.<ref name="Telegraph17Sep09QnA">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lotus/6199480/Q-and-A-why-Renault-face-race-fixing-allegations-and-other-questions.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lotus/6199480/Q-and-A-why-Renault-face-race-fixing-allegations-and-other-questions.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Q and A: why Renault face race-fixing allegations and other questions |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=17 September 2009 | location=London | first=Tom | last=Cary }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="BBC17Sep09Blame">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8261004.stm |title=Renault blames Briatore & Symonds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=17 September 2009 }}</ref> At the meeting, the Council banned Renault from Formula One, but suspended this sanction for two years, meaning Renault would have been thrown out of Formula One if a similar incident occurred before the end of the 2011 season. FIA stated that Renault would have likely been thrown out of Formula One if it had not taken swift action in pushing out Briatore and Symonds. At the same meeting, Briatore was banned from FIA events for life, while Symonds received a five-year ban. The bans on Briatore and Symonds were subsequently overturned by a French court in 2010. FIA, Briatore and Symonds reached a settlement that allowed Briatore and Symonds to return to FIA in 2011 and to Formula One in 2013. ==== Team sale amid Kubica promise (2010) ==== [[File:Kubica Malaysian GP 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|231x231px|[[Robert Kubica]] driving for Renault at the [[2010 Malaysian Grand Prix]].]] In 2010, Renault sold a majority stake in the team to [[Genii Capital]], a [[Luxembourg]] based investment company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ausmotive.com/2009/12/16/renault-stay-in-f1-kind-of.html|title=Renault stay in F1, kind of|work=AUSMotive|publisher=[[WordPress]]|date=16 December 2009|access-date=1 October 2010}}</ref> However Renault still retained a 25% share in the team and continued as an engine supplier. [[Red Bull Racing]] confirmed they would be using Renault engines for {{F1|2010}}. [[Robert Kubica]] was signed as Alonso's replacement on 7 October 2009,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kubica to race for Renault in 2010|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/10/10065.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009233241/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/10/10065.html|archive-date=9 October 2009|date=7 October 2009}}</ref> but following the shareholding deal, Kubica and his manager Daniel Morelli asked for clarification on the management structure before committing to the outfit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert Kubica not sure to stay at new-look Renault|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8416180.stm|date=16 December 2009 |work=BBC News }}</ref> However, in the new year, clarification was sought and Kubica was ready to commit to the outfit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert Kubica will stay with Renault Formula 1 team|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8439373.stm|date=4 January 2010 |work=BBC News }}</ref> On 31 January, [[Vitaly Petrov]] was signed to be Kubica's teammate, becoming [[Russia]]'s first Formula One driver. On 5 January, [[Éric Boullier]] was announced as the new team principal at Renault, replacing [[Bob Bell (motorsport)|Bob Bell]], who would return to his former role as Technical Director.<ref name="boullier">{{cite news|title=Boullier joins Renault as team principal|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80738|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|work=autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Media|date=5 January 2010|access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref> [[File:Vitaly Petrov in the Senna corner.jpg|left|thumb|[[Vitaly Petrov]] in the Senna corner at the [[2010 Canadian Grand Prix]].]] At the opening round in [[2010 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]], Petrov retired with broken suspension while in the pit lane on lap 14, and Kubica finished in eleventh place. Kubica took his first podium with the team, with a second-place finish in [[2010 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]]. Petrov retired from the race, after spinning off the circuit. Kubica finished the next 3 races in the points, a 4th place in [[2010 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]], 5th place in [[2010 Chinese Grand Prix|Shanghai]], and 8th place in [[2010 Spanish Grand Prix|Barcelona]]. Petrov meanwhile scored his first points in Formula 1 in China with his 7th place, it could have been more, but he spun off whilst in fourth, yet he still recovered to bring some points home. After setting fast times on Thursday and the fastest time in Saturday's practice session, followed by 2nd place in qualifying, Kubica finished in 3rd place in [[2010 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]], just 1.6 seconds behind the winner. Petrov retired in the closing laps of the race but was still classified 13th. [[Vitaly Petrov]] was out-qualified and out-raced by [[Robert Kubica]] at almost every race. However, Petrov did find considerable form at the {{F1 GP|2010|Hungarian}} when he out-qualified Kubica for the first time and finished the race 5th. However, in [[2010 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]], Petrov made a mistake that ended with a crash in the first session of qualifying when he explored the kerbs at Liege corner, claiming he was testing to see how wet they were and if they were usable on his flying lap. His failure to set a time placed him 24th on the grid, though a gearbox penalty to Sauber's [[Pedro de la Rosa]] promoted him to 23rd. However, he went on to finish ninth, resulting in three consecutive points finishes in a row. In [[2010 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]], Petrov was running seventh before being pushed off by [[Nico Hülkenberg]], whilst Kubica was forced to make an unscheduled stop late in the race with a puncture, before going on to recover almost every place he had lost. Rumours had tipped {{F1|2007}} World Champion [[Kimi Räikkönen]] to replace Petrov for {{F1|2011}}, but the Finn angrily rejected claims he would join the team, stating that he was upset Renault was using his name for their image and that their actions meant he would not race for them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/angry-raikkonen-rules-out-f1-return-with-renault/ |title=Angry Raikkonen rules out F1 return with Renault |work=motorsport.com |publisher=GMM |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=6 October 2010 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011073814/http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/angry-raikkonen-rules-out-f1-return-with-renault/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==== Lotus Renault GP: Renault steps back (2011) ==== [[File:Renault and Lotus 2011 Malaysia.jpg|thumb|left|[[Nick Heidfeld]] leads [[Heikki Kovalainen]] ([[Team Lotus (2010–2011)|Team Lotus]]) at the [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix]], Group Lotus's sponsorship of Renault in {{F1|2011}} led to a court dispute over naming rights between the two teams.]] On 5 November 2010, [[Autosport]] reported that Renault was poised to scale back its involvement in 2011 and become only an engine supplier, with the team closing in on a tie-up with [[Lotus Cars]] to buy its 25% stake in the team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87936 |title=Renault team set for Lotus Cars tie-up |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |work=autosport.com |publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publishing]] |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=6 November 2010}}</ref> The deal was finalised in early December 2010, with the team to be renamed Lotus Renault GP for 2011, under a sponsorship deal signed with Lotus Cars until 2017.<ref name="LotusRenaultGP">{{cite news|date=8 December 2010|title=Renault F1 team to be renamed Lotus Renault GP in 2011|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9267715.stm|access-date=8 December 2010}}</ref> Renault continued to support the team by supplying engines and its expertise and thus [[Red Bull Racing]] was promoted to Renault's full-works partnership team. The Renault chassis name continued to be used, with Renault branding featuring in the new black and gold livery that was last used when Renault and Lotus joined forces in the 1980s, harking back to the John Player Special livery of the time. Despite being rebranded to Lotus, Renault still supplied free engines for the Lotus team until 2014. During 2011, the team raced against another team that was using the Lotus name. The team which raced in the 2010 season as [[Team Lotus (2010–2011)|Lotus Racing]] (using a licence from Group Lotus which was later terminated by Group Lotus) rebranded itself as "Team Lotus" for the 2011 season after purchasing the privately owned rights to the historic name.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beer |first=Matt |title=Team Lotus still bullish over name |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88623 |work=autosport.com |publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]] |date=8 December 2010 |access-date=10 December 2010}}</ref> In January 2011, team principal [[Éric Boullier]] announced that the team would race under a [[List of Formula One constructors#Team's nationality|British licence]] in {{F1|2011}}, having raced as a French outfit since Renault took over in {{F1|2002}}.<ref>{{cite news|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|title=Renault to switch to British licence|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88902|work=[[Autosport]]|publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]]|date=13 January 2011|access-date=15 January 2011}}</ref> This left the sport without any team racing under a French licence for the first time since the {{F1|1975}} season. Group Lotus had yet to purchase a stake in the team, but had an option to do so by the end of {{F1|2012}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |title=Renault frustrated by Lotus name row |publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]] |work=autosport.com |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89176 |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> Along with the launch of their new car, Lotus Renault GP announced that they had hired [[Jean Alesi]] as an ambassador for the team and test driver for the T125 single-seater project. On 6 February 2011, [[Robert Kubica]] was severely injured in an accident during a rally in Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/02/06/f1.crash/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206170350/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/02/06/f1.crash/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2011 |title=Kubica undergoes emergency surgery after rally crash in Italy |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |date=6 February 2011 |access-date=11 February 2011}}</ref> It was unclear if he would be able to return to Formula One during the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/02/07/motorsport.f1.crash.kubica/index.html?iref=NS1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023163406/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/02/07/motorsport.f1.crash.kubica/index.html?iref=NS1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2012 |title=F1 ace Kubica 'much better' after rally crash in Italy |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=11 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-world/f1-driver-kubica-targets-quick-return-20110212-1aqv9.html?iref=NS1 |title=Formula 1 driver Kubica targets quick return |date=11 February 2011 |access-date=11 February 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]}}</ref> On 16 February, it was announced that [[Nick Heidfeld]] was signed as Kubica's replacement, while Kubica still remained signed with the team for 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11750.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217125013/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11750.html |archive-date=17 February 2011 |work=formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One Group|Formula One Administration]] |date=16 February 2011 |access-date=16 February 2011 |title=Renault confirm Heidfeld as Kubica stand-in}}</ref> [[File:Renault R31 nose logo 2011 Malaysia.jpg|thumb|right|Despite 0% Renault ownership the team continued using the Renault name until the end of the {{F1|2011}} season. The team also used a British licence.]] At the {{F1 GP|2011|Australian}}, Petrov took his first and only podium in Formula One, finishing third, and Heidfeld finished twelfth with a damaged car.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9437744.stm |title=Vitaly Petrov boosted by Renault podium at Aussie GP |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |first=Sarah |last=Holt}}</ref> Heidfeld finished third in the next race in [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]], while Petrov retired late on; he hit a bump caused by a drainage gully which launched his car into the air and broke the car's steering column on landing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9453282.stm |title=Sebastian Vettel beats Jenson Button in Malaysian Grand Prix |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=10 April 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |first=Sarah |last=Holt}}</ref> In the [[2011 Chinese Grand Prix|Chinese Grand Prix]], Petrov finished ninth having started tenth after a mechanical problem in qualifying, with Heidfeld finishing twelfth.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9460612.stm |title=Lewis Hamilton storms to China victory over Red Bulls |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=17 April 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |first=Sarah |last=Holt}}</ref> Heidfeld and Petrov finished seventh and eighth in [[2011 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]], as the team's early-season performance began to fade. Heidfeld finished ninth in [[2011 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]] after missing qualifying due to a fire in practice, while Petrov finished just outside the points in eleventh place. Heidfeld scored more points in [[2011 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] with eighth place, while Petrov retired after being caught up in an accident involving several other cars. Petrov finished fifth in the rain-affected {{F1 GP|2011|Canadian}}, with Heidfeld retiring after damaging his car's front wing in a collision with [[Kamui Kobayashi]]. The team endured a difficult weekend in Valencia, as Heidfeld scored a single point for tenth place and Petrov finished 15th. New restrictions over the use of off-throttle blown diffusers were introduced for the {{F1 GP|2011|British}}, and the team was badly affected having designed their car around the system. Heidfeld managed 8th place in the race, with Petrov 12th. Heidfeld was replaced by [[Bruno Senna]] for the {{F1 GP|2011|Belgian}} in August.<ref name="Senna">{{cite news |url=http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/6308-Bruno-Senna-to-race-for-Lotus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920071356/http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/6308-Bruno-Senna-to-race-for-Lotus.html |archive-date=20 September 2011 |title=Bruno Senna to race for Lotus Renault GP |work=Lotus Renault GP |publisher=Renault F1 |date=24 August 2011 |url-status=usurped |access-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> On 29 November 2011, the team confirmed that they had hired [[Kimi Räikkönen]] to drive full-time in 2012. On 9 December 2011, the team also confirmed that [[Romain Grosjean]] would join Räikkönen in 2012. During the 2012 season, the team would be known as the [[Lotus F1|Lotus F1 Team]].
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)