Renault and ING Renault F1 Team Statement (May 2009)

The decision of the Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to introduce two sets of Formula One technical regulations for the 2010 Formula One season has caused the Renault Group to reconsider its entry in next year's FIA Formula One World Championship.

There is frustration that FOTA's constructive proposals, including major cost saving measures to be adopted progressively between 2009 and 2012, which were carefully constructed by FOTA members, have been completely ignored without any form of consultation by the FIA with the teams.

It should be stressed that FOTA has set the same, if not lower, financial objective as the FIA, but Renault strongly believes that this must be introduced through a different procedure agreed by all parties.

Renault also believes that it is paramount that the governance of the sport is coordinated with a spirit of consultation with all parties (FIA, FOM, FOTA) in order to achieve a better balance between the costs and the revenues. Renault is also of the firm view that all entrants in the World Championship must adhere to and operate under the same regulations.

President of the ING Renault F1 Team, Bernard Rey, commented: "Renault has always considered Formula One as the pinnacle of motor sport and the perfect stage to demonstrate technical excellence. We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into effect, we will be forced to pull out from next season."

ING Renault F1 Team Managing Director, Flavio Briatore, commented: "Our aim is to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards that make Formula One one of the most prestigious brands on the market. We want to achieve this in a coordinated manner with the regulatory and commercial bodies, and we refuse to accept unilateral governance handed out by the FIA. If the decisions announced by the World Council on the 29th of April 2009 are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009."

Renault in Formula 1

Renault celebrated in 2007 the 30th anniversary of its debut in Formula 1. In the course of the past three decades, the team has scored eight Constructors' world titles and taken seven Drivers' crowns, including back-to-back Constructors' and Drivers' grand slams in 2005 and 2006.

Indeed, the quality pledge – which targets a top-three ranking in its segment in this domain for Laguna – corresponds with the Renault race team's objective to finish every race on the podium.

Formula 1 also provides Renault with positive leverage as it sets out to conquer new markets and increase vehicle sales by 2009. The image and awareness generated by the team's results in racing are essential to the international development of the group.

To achieve the objective of fighting every year for the title, Renault draws on structures and human resources that are at the cutting edge of technological development. Research, design, assembly and development are divided between three sites: the Viry-Chatillon plant that produces the V8 engines, the Technical Centre at Enstone in the U.K., where the single-seaters are designed and assembled and with the brand new CFD, and the Technocentre at Guyancourt, whose powerful computers and invaluable expertise in advanced automotive technology are major advantages for the Renault F1 Team as it strives to win the world title.

Renault in Formula 1 Updated February 12, 2009

Renault F1 Career records: (From June 2008)

• 8 F1 Constructors' World Champion
• 7 F1 Drivers' World Champion
• 408 Grand Prix starts
• 113 wins
• 2720 points scored
• 154 poles
• 114 fastest laps
   

History of Renault in F1

1977: Renault makes its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship.

1982: First one-two for Renault at the French Grand Prix.

1988: Renault announces its comeback in F1 as an engine supplier for Williams, using a revolutionary normally-aspirated V10 engine.

1992: Nigel Mansell wins the Drivers' World Championship title and Williams-Renault wins the first of 5 Constructors' titles.

1993: Alain Prost wins his fourth and final Drivers World Championship title. Williams-Renault wins its second Constructors' title.

1994: Williams-Renault wins its third World Constructors' title in a row.

1995: The four "Renault" drivers take the first four places in the Championship. Benetton-Renault wins the Constructors' Championship, Renault's fourth consecutive victory.

1996: Damon Hill becomes Drivers' World Champion, while team-mate Jacques Villeneuve takes second place. Williams-Renault wins the Constructors' World Championship title again, the fifth consecutive time for Renault.

1997: Renault wins the Constructors' World Championship for the sixth time, and announces its withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

2001: Renault returns to Formula 1 again as an engine supplier for Benetton.

2002: Renault officially rejoins the Formula 1 World Championship as a works team with drivers Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli.

2003: In its second season as a works team, Renault wins two pole positions, 4 podiums and 1 victory (Hungarian Grand Prix, August 24,2003). With his victory in Budapest, Fernando Alonso becomes the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix in Formula 1 history, at 22 years and 26 days old exactly.

2004: Three pole positions, five podium finishes and one victory (courtesy of Jarno Trulli, in Monaco) move the Renault F1 Team up to third place in the Word Championship for Constructors. Renault has achieved its challenge: to stand at the top 3 teams of Formula 1.

2005: Renault and Fernando Alonso win the Constructors' and Drivers' World titles. Fernando Alonso becomes the youngest F1 World Champion.

2006: Another time, Renault F1 Team and Fernando Alonso win the Constructors' and Drivers' World titles. At the end of the season, Alonso decides to leave the Team.

2007: Renault experienced a tough season because of the difficult adaptation to the new tires. The team enjoyed a lonely podium thanks to Heikki Kovalainen at the Japan Grand Prix. At the end of the season, Fernando Alonso, signs his coming back into the team with which he won 2 World Champion Titles.

Career records / History of Renault in F1 Updated June 2008