A comprehensive look at the Formula 1 team, Renault – Part 1
Renault became a part of Formula 1 initially back in 1977 when they ran a single car for driver Jean Pierre Jabouille.
The team ran the car for just 4 races that year and was unable to secure a single point.
In 1978, the team sort of boosted its performance as a result of which they were able to secure its first points as the team ended up in 12th place in the constructors’ standings with just 3 points.
This was the team’s worst performance to date and since then, the team has given some very good mid-running and top-running team performances.
Renault secured 26 points the following year and finished in 6th place in the constructors’ standings. This was the team’s first season with two drivers and it seemed now that they did not join the sport just to take part in a season or two.
In 1980, the team once again made some massive improvements as they secured 38 points this time and finished in 4th place in the constructors’ standings. However, this was the Jabouille’s last year with the team.
Renault were the first team to introduce a turbo engine but that was after Jabouille retired and as his replacement, the legendary Alain Prost became a part of the team. He stayed with the team for three years and these 3 years were Renault’s peak period
in its first phase.
In 1981, the team finished in 3rd place in the constructors’ standings after an amazing performance. They secured 54 points with the help of 3 wins, 7 podiums and 6 pole positions. At this point, it seemed that they even had the capability of
scoring a championship but unfortunately, they were unable to do so until the 2005.
Nevertheless, Renault improved its performance once again in 1982 as they finished in 3rd place in the constructors’ standings for the second time in a row with 62 points. This time, they secured 4 wins, 8 podiums and 10 pole positions.
The 1983 season was the team’s best year in its first phase statistically as they finished in 2nd place in the constructors’ standings with 79 points. The team scored 4 race wins, 11 podiums and 3 pole positions this time,
After the 1983 Formula 1 season, Alain Prost joined McLaren and started giving them world championships while Renault’s performance started to deteriorate as a result of which, the team was able to survive for just 2 more years in the sport.
In 1984, the team scored 34 points to secure the 5th place in the constructors’ standings with the help of just 5 podiums and a pole position. They were unable to secure a single race win this time.
The 1985 was the team’s final year in the sport during its first phase and it was quite disappointing for them as they finished in 7th place in the constructors’ standings. They were able to secure 16 points this time with the help of two podium
positions.
Nevertheless, Renault became one of the front running engine suppliers of sport after this phase and at this time, no one knew that the team would return to the sport and even secure two championships in just a matter of 4 years of its return.
Continued in part 2…
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