The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix quietly marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in Formula 1 history. After nearly five decades in the sport, Renault officially bowed out as an F1 engine supplier, closing the doors on its Viry-Chatillon power unit programme and switching to customer Mercedes engines for 2026.
It was an unceremonious end for a manufacturer that helped shape modern Formula 1. Across 771 grands prix, Renault accumulated 213 pole positions, 465 podiums, 169 victories, and 23 world championships as both a works team and engine supplier. Few marques have left a deeper technical and sporting imprint on F1.
As Renault steps away, here are the key moments that defined its remarkable — and sometimes controversial — F1 legacy.
The Turbo Revolution Begins (1977–1979)
Renault made its Formula 1 debut at the 1977 British Grand Prix with the RS01 — the sport’s first turbocharged F1 car. Nicknamed the “yellow teapot” for its unreliability and smoke-filled retirements, the project was mocked early on.
But Renault persisted. In 1979, Jean-Pierre Jabouille delivered the brand’s first F1 victory at the French Grand Prix, proving turbocharging was the future. Within a few years, every team followed Renault’s lead.
So Close to Glory with Prost (1983)
By the early 1980s, Renault had become a front-runner. Alain Prost won four races in 1983 and led the championship late into the season, only to lose the title by two points due to late-season reliability failures.
It was a painful near-miss — and a sign that Renault had the speed, but not yet the consistency.
Senna, Customers, and the First Exit (1985–1986)
Renault engines powered multiple teams in the mid-1980s, including Lotus, where Ayrton Senna delivered a legendary wet-weather victory at Estoril in 1985.
Yet despite success, Renault withdrew as a works team at the end of 1985, continuing briefly as an engine supplier before stepping away entirely in 1986.
The Williams–Renault Golden Era (1989–1997)
Renault returned in 1989 as an engine supplier to Williams, ushering in one of the most dominant periods in F1 history.
Between 1992 and 1997, Renault-powered cars won:
- Drivers’ titles with Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve
- Multiple constructors’ championships
- Entire seasons where Renault engines were virtually unbeatable
The peak came in 1996, when Renault-powered cars finished 1-2-3-4 at the French Grand Prix, a unique achievement.
After Villeneuve’s controversial title win in 1997, Renault exited again — this time at the height of its dominance.
The Enstone Era and Alonso’s Rise (2002–2006)
Renault returned once more — now as a full works team — after purchasing Benetton. Early results were modest, but everything changed in 2003, when a young Fernando Alonso won in Hungary.
That victory paved the way for history:
- 2005: Alonso became F1’s youngest world champion
- 2006: Alonso defeated Michael Schumacher in one of the sport’s greatest title duels
Renault claimed back-to-back drivers’ and constructors’ championships, cementing its place among F1’s elite.
Crashgate and Collapse (2008)
Renault’s reputation suffered irreparable damage in 2008. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car, allowing Alonso to win.
The scandal — later known as Crashgate — led to bans, resignations, and Renault’s public humiliation. Within two years, the manufacturer withdrew once again.
Powering Red Bull’s Dynasty (2010–2013)
Renault’s final golden spell came not as a works team, but as an engine supplier to Red Bull Racing. From 2010 to 2013, Renault engines powered Sebastian Vettel to four consecutive world titles.
Despite later tension between the two parties, this period delivered 44 race wins and marked Renault’s last sustained success at the top of Formula 1.
The Hybrid Era Struggles (2014–2015)
The introduction of hybrid power units in 2014 exposed Renault’s weaknesses. While Mercedes dominated, Renault lagged behind in power and reliability.
Red Bull still managed three wins in 2014, but the partnership soured, and Renault’s competitive decline accelerated.
The Final Return and Alpine Years (2016–2025)
Renault returned as a works team again in 2016, later rebranding as Alpine. Despite ambitious promises, results never matched expectations.
The lone bright moment came in 2021, when Esteban Ocon won the Hungarian Grand Prix — Renault’s final F1 victory.
By 2025, Alpine finished last in the constructors’ championship, and Renault made the decision to abandon its own engine programme entirely.
An Unceremonious Goodbye
Despite fierce opposition from the Viry-Chatillon factory, Renault chose to switch to Mercedes power for 2026, ending one of F1’s longest manufacturer stories in quiet fashion.
It was not the ending Renault’s legacy deserved — but its impact on Formula 1 is undeniable.
Renault pioneered turbocharging, powered dynasties, nurtured legends, and shaped the sport’s technical evolution. Even as it leaves the grid, Formula 1 would not look the same without Renault’s influence.