Team information

Chassis R28

Engine Renault RS27

Team principal(s) Flavio Briatore

Executive Director Pat Symonds

Technical director Bob Bell

Designers Bob Bell (Chassis Technical Director,) Pat Symonds (Executive Director of Engineering,) Denis Chevrier (Head of Engine Track Operations)

Race drivers 5.Fernando Alonso, 6.Nelson Piquet Jr.

Test drivers Lucas di Grassi, Romain Grosjean, Sakon Yamamoto

Base Enstone, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Website http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/

History

Renault has competed in Formula One (originally via subsidiary Renault Sport), both as an engine supplier and as a constructor from the late 1970s to the present day, with several breaks. Renault introduced the turbo engine to Formula One when they debuted their first car, the Renault RS01 at Silverstone in 1977. Although the Renault team won races and competed for world titles, it was as a supplier of normally aspirated engines to the Benetton and Williams teams in the 1990s that Renault first tasted world championship success. Renault returned to the category as a constructor in 2001 by taking over the Benetton team, which was renamed Renault in 2002. Their first championship as a constructor was achieved in 2005; the same year that they won their first drivers' championship with former test driver, Fernando Alonso, repeating that feat in 2006.

Renault F1 is coordinated from the team's UK base at Enstone, Oxfordshire where the chassis are designed and built. Engines are manufactured at Renault's facility at Viry-Châtillon outside Paris. As well as their championship wins in 2005 and 2006, Renault also contributed to 5 driver's world championships (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997) and 6 constructor's world championships (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997) as engine supplier for Benetton and Williams.

2008 prospects

It was announced on December 10, 2007 that Fernando Alonso has signed with Renault F1 for 2008. Alonso will drive alongside promoted test driver Nelson Piquet Jr., and is believed to have secured number one status within the team.

Questions have been raised regarding Renault's commitment to its Formula One team, particularly with the appointment of Carlos Ghosn as CEO in 2005. Ghosn has a reputation as a ruthless businessman, nicknamed "le cost cutter". However at the 2005 French Grand Prix Ghosn set out his policy regarding the company's involvement in motorsport: "We are not in Formula One out of habit or tradition. We're here to show our talent and that we can do it properly... Formula One is a cost if you don't get the results. Formula One is an investment if you do have them and know how to exploit them." In short he will continue Renault's investment in F1 as long as the team is successful and can use the resulting publicity for wider commercial gain. Renault have recently signed an agreement with Formula One Management pledging its allegiance to Formula 1 until 2012. After Renault won both championships in 2006 for a second year, Ghosn said "It is an important victory because it justifies the investment Renault has made in Formula 1, and will make in the future. More and more, Formula 1 is working as an investment for us, not a loss."

Renault F1 has a research relationship with Boeing, the aim of which is "to investigate technology collaboration projects of mutual interest." Similar relationships include that of McLaren and BAE Systems.

The honours list

Debut 1977 British Grand Prix

Races competed 234

Constructors' Championships 2

Drivers' Championships 2

Race victories 33

Pole positions 50

Fastest laps 27

2007 position 3rd (51 points)