Renault Group Chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn recently announced Renault’s complete motorsport plans at an event held at the Renault Technocentre in Guyancourt, France.
As of 2016 onwards, Renault Sport has been distilled into two entities: Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars.
Renault Sport Racing will encompass all Renault’s motorsport activities, including Renault Sport Formula One Team, Renault e.dams, Formula Renault 2.0, Renault Sport R.S.01 Trophy, plus further customer racing and rallying programmes. Renault Sport Racing will cover operations at the two Renault motorsport sites at Enstone, UK, and Viry–Châtillon, France.
Renault Sport Cars, a new name of Renault Sport Technologies, will manage the development and commercialisation of the Renault Sport car portfolio. Renault Sport is recognised worldwide for its excellence in hot hatches such as the Mégane R.S. and Clio R.S. as well as efficient and accessible GTs including the new Mégane GT. Renault Sport will develop its international footprint, brand appeal and portfolio growth with increased R&D investment.
The French firm will use the new structure for two primary functions. Initially, it aims to promote the Renault Sport brand to a wider audience primarily using the Renault Sport Formula One Team and the global audience of F1. Secondly, it will use Formula E and racing activities such as the Clio Cup to showcase the image and design of other aspects of the Renault range such as electric vehicles.
Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars will work hand in hand to maximise technical and commercial synergies. The first demonstration of the relationship will be revealed at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.
Mr. Ghosn commented, “Today we believe motorsport still sparks the imagination of both enthusiasts and everyday drivers. Formula 1 is a big part of our push to boost awareness of Renault range, particularly in territories where Renault is a newcomer.
“Formula 1 is a worldwide platform, running for 75% of the year, and demonstrates cutting-edge innovations in mechanical engineering, aerodynamics, new material development, turbocharging, energy recovery systems and fuel economy. Our activities within Renault Sport Racing are entirely complementary. Formula E and other customer racing programmes highlight further areas of Renault’s expertise.
“Naturally we hope that our commitment to motorsport will have a direct impact on Renault Sport sales. We aim to anchor engineering development, but enable it to be transferred and commercialised. Our increased motorsport commitment is at the core of our Renault brand strategy as well as technical innovation.”
At the core of the racing activities will be the newly-created Renault Sport Formula One Team. The new F1 challenger consists of the Renault R.S.16 chassis, developed and manufactured in Enstone, whilst the Renault R.E.16 power unit will continue to be developed in Viry-Châtillon.
A number of key appointments have been made in the F1 team to avoid any dilution of the specific requirements of Formula 1. Bob Bell is appointed F1 Chief Technical Officer and will manage the efforts of Nick Chester as Chassis Technical Director and Rémi Taffin as Engine Technical Director. Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer are confirmed as Renault Sport Formula One Team’s race drivers, and will be supported by Esteban Ocon, who joins the team as Third and Reserve Driver.
Renault also announced its partner portfolio at the event. Renault-Nissan Alliance partner Infiniti will continue its journey in Formula 1 alongside Renault and will enhance its involvement through a specific technology program developing the second generation of energy recovery systems (ERS) for the F1 power unit for the benefit of all brands of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Total and Renault will expand their existing partnership though the supply of a wide range of Total products specifically designed for Renault Sport Formula One Team.
Renault also announced new partnerships with other prestigious brands, including premium watch supplier, Bell & Ross, revolutionary audio systems inventors, Devialet, as well as continuing relationships with the F1 team’s current partners, including Microsoft and EMC. Renault will continue its working relationship with Gravity Motorsports, an affiliate of the Genii Capital Group, which will retain a minority shareholding in the F1 team. Genii and Gravity worked tirelessly to ensure the team’s survival in extremely difficult circumstances and Renault is pleased to recognise this commitment as Gerard Lopez remains a non-executive director of the team.
Renault Sport Technologies customer racing staff will now come under the banner of Renault Sport Racing under the continued management of Jean-Pascal Dauce. The new organisation will allow Renault to connect more efficiently the various categories to which it is currently committed, from rallying with the Clio R3T, rallye raid, and one-make track series including the Clio Cup and Renault Sport R.S.01 Trophy. Renault will also continue its Formula Renault 2.0 single-seater series. For more than 45 years, the series has given eminent drivers and champions the opportunity to start motorsport and reach its highest levels. To date, some 60% of current F1 drivers came through Formula Renault.
Renault’s Formula E activity will come under the Renault Sport Racing banner. The company has committed to the championship until at least season 4 with Renault e.dams team. The strategic importance of Formula E for the Renault brand is highlighted through the strength and stability of the management team composed of four-time Formula 1 World Champion Alain Prost and Jean-Paul Driot. Over the next seasons Renault Sport Racing will develop and supply a full powertrain of gearbox and electric motor to the team. Targets are ambitious, with an objective to win both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title.
With this announcement, motorsport once more becomes an integral part of Renault’s brand identity and, ultimately, DNA.
