Editing Renault (section)

==Motorsport==
{{Main|Renault Sport|Formula Renault}}
[[File:Renault8.12.09.jpg|1907 Renault-built Replica of their [[French Grand Prix]] winner, one of 4 known to exist|thumb|left]]

Renault took part in motorsport at the beginning of the 20th century, promoted by [[Marcel Renault]]'s racing interests and over the years acquired companies with a sporting connection such as [[Gordini]] and [[Alpine (car)|Alpine]].

In the 1970s, Renault set up a dedicated motorsport division called [[Renault Sport]], and, in 1978, won the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] with the [[Renault Alpine A442]]. Renault has also achieved success in both [[rallying]] and in [[Formula One]] over the past few decades.

[[File:Renault RS7 rear Donington Grand Prix Collection.jpg|Renault has won twelve F1 Championships as engine manufacturer in Formula One.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statsf1.com/en/moteur-renault.aspx|title=Engine Renault|publisher=StatsF1.com |access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Jacques Villeneuve won eleven F1 driver's titles with cars powered by Renault engines.|upright=1.15|thumb|right]]

The company has also backed various one-make single-seater series such as [[Formula Renault]] and the [[World Series by Renault|Formula Renault 3.5]]. These two racing series were a step in the career of thousands of drivers, including Formula One champions [[Fernando Alonso]], [[Sebastian Vettel]], [[Kimi Räikkönen]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/home/newsstory/512/40-Years-of-Renault-UK-Motorsport|title=40 Years of Renault UK Motorsport|publisher=Renault|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> and [[Lewis Hamilton]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carpages.co.uk/renault/renault-formula-champions-04-11-08.asp|title=Formula Renault UK Celebrates Anniversary with Back-To-Back World Champions|publisher=Car pages|date=4 November 2008|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> as well as [[IndyCar]] champion [[Will Power]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedsport-magazine.com/race-driver-database/biography/will-power~2102.html|title=2005 Formula Renault 3.5 World Series|work=Speedsport magazine|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref>

Renault Sport develops and manufactures the Renault Sport-badged cars,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://group.renault.com/en/passion-2/motorsport/motorsport-activities/ |title=Motorsport activities |publisher=Renault |access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> as the Renault Clio RS (for Renault Sport) and the [[Mégane Renault Sport|Renault Mégane RS]], which own the world records in their categories, such as the Nürburgring,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmag.com/renault-megane-rs-275-trphy-r-nurburgring-front-drive-record/32585/|title=Renault Megane RS sets new Nürburgring record for front drive cars|date=18 June 2014|publisher=gizmag|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref> and the Suzuka circuit and awards from ''[[What Car?]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatcar.com/awards/2014/coty/hot-hatches/over-20k|title=This is the fifth time the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Cup has won our top-priced hot hatch gong. Make it a great hot hatch|publisher=What car?|access-date=6 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205207/http://www.whatcar.com/awards/2014/coty/hot-hatches/over-20k|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> ''[[Evo (magazine)|Evo]]'', and other magazines.

[[File:Alonso (Renault) qualifying at USGP 2005.jpg|thumb|Fernando Alonso driving for Renault F1 at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]] in [[2005 United States Grand Prix|2005]], the year in which the Renault team won the first of their two Formula One championships]]
[[File:Renault Alpine A442B René Arnoux at Goodwood 2014 001.jpg|thumb|The [[Renault Alpine A442]], 1978 [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans 24 Hours]] winner, at the 2014 [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]]]]
[[File:Festival automobile international 2015 - Renault RS1 - 004.jpg|thumb|[[Renault Sport R.S. 01]]]]
[[File:Jean-Luc Thérier - Alpine-Renault A110 1800 (1973 Rallye Sanremo).jpg|left|thumb|Renault Alpine A110, first Champion of the [[World Rally Championship]]]]
[[File:Renault Megane RS, IAA 2017 IMG 0411.jpg|thumb|Renault Megane RS, IAA 2017]]

===Formula One===
{{Main|Renault in Formula One}}
Renault introduced the [[turbocharger|turbo]] engine to Formula One when they debuted their first car, the [[Renault RS01]] at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]] in 1977. The Renault team continued until 1986. From 1989 Renault supplied engines for the successful [[Williams-Renault]] car.

Renault took over the [[Benetton Formula]] team in 2000<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/03/formulaone.formulaone20033?INTCMP=SRCH |title=The Guardian 3 March 2003 |work=The Guardian|location=UK |access-date=6 January 2011 |date=3 March 2003}}</ref> for the [[F1 2001|2001]] season and renamed it [[Renault F1]] in [[F1 2002|2002]]. In [[2005 Formula One season|2005]] and [[2006 Formula One Season|2006]] the team won the Constructors' and Drivers' titles (with Fernando Alonso).<ref>{{cite news|last=Garside |first=Kevin |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2370086/Question-mark-over-Renault.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2370086/Question-mark-over-Renault.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Telegraph 21 December 2005 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=21 December 2005 |access-date=6 January 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the [[2005 French Grand Prix]] [[Carlos 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&nbsp;... 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."

Renault powered the winning 2010 [[Red Bull Racing]] team, and took a similar role with its old team in December 2010, when it sold its final stake to the investment group [[Genii Capital]], the main stakeholder<ref>{{cite web|title=Renault F1 team to be renamed Lotus Renault GP in 2011 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9267715.stm |first=Andrew |last=Benson |website=news.bbc.co.uk |date=8 December 2010 |access-date=11 September 2011}}</ref> since December 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.speed-magazin.de/index.php?topic=news/story&ID=19425&serie=formula1|title=Formula 1: Renault sells 75 percent to Genii Capital but stays in F1 as Renault|work=SpeedMagazin|access-date=20 January 2022|archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170620073524/http://www.speed-magazin.de/index.php?topic=news%2Fstory&ID=19425&serie=formula1|url-status=dead}}</ref> ending Renault's direct role in running a F1 team for the second time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cary |first=Tom |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/8190138/Formula-one-rivals-Team-Lotus-and-Group-Lotus-square-up-in-escalating-war-of-words.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/8190138/Formula-one-rivals-Team-Lotus-and-Group-Lotus-square-up-in-escalating-war-of-words.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=', The Telegraph', 8 December 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=8 December 2010 |access-date=6 January 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Renault bought the Enstone-based team for the 2016 season, rebranding it Renault.<ref name="RSPRRSPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.renaultsport.com/Renault-launches-comprehensive-Motorsport-programme.html|title=Renault launches comprehensive Motorsport programme|publisher=Renault Sport|date=3 February 2016|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405191553/http://www.renaultsport.com/Renault-launches-comprehensive-Motorsport-programme.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="F1RTN">{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/first-points-for-renault-team-after-f1-return-732684 |title=First points for Renault team after F1 return |publisher=Motorsport.com |date=1 May 2016 |access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref> In 2021, the team was renamed [[Alpine F1 Team]] and became part of the new Alpine business unit, with Renault retained as the engine nameplate. Renault will stop manufacturing F1 engines at [[Viry-Châtillon]] after the {{F1|2025}} season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renault veut abandonner la Formule 1 : surprise et colère à Viry-Châtillon |url=https://nvo.fr/renault-veut-abandonner-la-formule-1-surprise-et-colere-a-viry-chatillon/#:~:text=L'annonce%20surprise%20de%20l,provoque%20aussi%20une%20forte%20indignation. |website=La vie ouvrière| date=6 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MENACE DE GRÉVE A l'USINE ALPINE RENAULT F1 DE VIRY CHATILLON APRÉS L'ANNONCE DE L'ARRÊT DES MOTEUIRS F1 POUR… MERCEDES |url=http://www.autonewsinfo.com/2024/07/30/menace-de-greve-a-lusine-alpine-renault-f1-de-viry-chatillon-473055.html |website=auto news info}}</ref>

===Rallying===
Renault has been involved in [[rallying]] from an early era. Marcel Renault won the 1902 Rallye Paris-Vienna, but lost his life while competing in the 1903 Paris-Madrid rally.<ref name=RALL02>{{cite web |url=http://www.rallye-info.com/carmake_profile.asp?make=5 |title=Renault Manufacturer Profile & Rally History |publisher=Rallye-info.com |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520154701/http://www.rallye-info.com/carmake_profile.asp?make=5 |archive-date=20 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 1950s and 1960s, Renault manufactured several small cars with [[rear wheel drive]] in some cases, as the [[Renault 4CV|4CV]], the [[Renault R8|R8]] or the [[Renault Dauphine|Dauphine]]. These cars were well-adapted to the rally of the time, and the tuner [[Amedee Gordini]] collaborated with its performance.<ref name=RALL02/> In the 1950s the Renault Dauphine won several international rallies, including the 1956 [[Mille Miglia]] and the 1958 [[Monte Carlo Rally]].<ref name=RALL01>{{cite web|url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/229371/ |title='Autocar', 28 November 2007 |work=Autocar |date=28 November 2007 |access-date=6 January 2011}}</ref>

In 1973, Renault took control of [[Alpine (car maker)|Automobiles Alpine]], a related company for several years, which was responsible for building successful rally cars such as the [[Alpine A110|A110]].<ref name=RALL03>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/con-alpin.html |title=Constructors: Alpine (Automobiles Alpines) |publisher=Grandprix.com |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522184248/http://grandprix.com/gpe/con-alpin.html|archive-date=22 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> A highly evolved A110 won the first [[World Rally Championship]], representing Alpine-Renault.<ref name=RALL02/>

In 1976, the Alpine's competition department and the Gordini factory at Viry-Chatillon were merged into Renault Sport.<ref name= RALL03/> The focus shifted to Formula One, although Renault achieved several victories including the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally with the [[Renault 5 Turbo]]<ref name=RALL01/> before retirement from the world rally in late 1994.<ref name=RALL02/>

Renault cars also participate of [[off-roading|cross-country]] races, most prominently the [[Dakar Rally]]. The Marreau brothers won the [[1982 Paris–Dakar Rally|1982 edition]] driving a [[Renault 20]] [[Turbocharger|Turbo]] [[Four-wheel drive|4x4]] prototype.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/passionsport/les-vehicules-historiques/pages/renault-20-4x4.aspx |title=Renault 20 4X4 Paris-Dakar |publisher=Renault.com |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408215752/http://www.renault.com/en/PassionSport/les-vehicules-historiques/Pages/renault-20-4x4.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later, Renault provided a Renault Megane platform{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} and sponsored the [[Jean-Louis Schlesser|Schlesser]]-Renault [[Elf Aquitaine|Elf]] [[Buggy (automobile)|buggies]] that won the 1999<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.renaultclub.cz/english/sport/buggy.htm |title=Renault Buggy – Dakar 1999 |publisher=Renaultclub.cz |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518163843/http://english.renaultclub.cz/english/sport/buggy.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 2000 editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whoholdsthetitle.com/headline/list-of-dakar-rally-car-and-motorcycle-champions/ |title=List of Dakar Rally Car, Truck and Moto Champions |publisher=Whoholdsthetitle.com |access-date=16 May 2012 }}</ref> The 1999 car was the first [[two-wheel drive]] Dakar's winner.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.renault.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Communiqu%C3%A9%20de%20presse/en-EN/Pieces%20jointes/105_RP_D_1222938816.rtf |title=Dakar – Cairo 2000. The Schlesser-Renault-Elf team out in strength |website=renault.com |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204334/http://www.renault.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Communiqu%C3%A9%20de%20presse/en-EN/Pieces%20jointes/105_RP_D_1222938816.rtf |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Renaults won the [[European Rally Championship]] four times, in 1970, 1999, 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport-archive.com/results/series/102|title=Renault and Renault Alpine victories in the European Rally Championship|website=motorsport-archive.com|access-date=2015-03-08}}</ref>