Formula Renault 2.0 descended from Formula France created in 1968. Its predecessors used 1.3L (1968–1971), 1.6L (1972–1981), 1.6L turbo (1982–1988) and later 1,721 cc (1989–1994), then 2l 8V (1995–1999) engines in single-seater chassis. The series evolved in 2000 into a 2L 16V series using one-make cars from Italian manufacturer
Tatuus. The series was introduced into the UK in 1989 and even after the 1721 cc cars had been replaced at the top level a club-level series for them continued in parallel with the more ambitious 2.0 series. This is seen as one of the key steps in a driver's career before
Formula Three. The most notable recent graduate of the formula is
Kimi Räikkönen, who moved straight into
Formula One after winning the British Formula Renault championship.
The cars 1995–1999 The Formula Renault 95 used multiple chassis, production 2.0-litre 8V 165 hp engines and
Hewland five-speed manual gearboxes. Manufacturers were able to build cars around spec components such as the engine, bellhousing, gearbox, brakes, wheels and ECU. Chassis were steel space frame with fibreglass bodies. Manufacturers included
Mygale,
Martini, Swift, Tatuus, and Ermolli. The car was last used in 1999.
2000–2009 The Formula Renault 2000 had a Tatuus-made chassis running 2.0 L
Renault Clio engines attached to a Sadev gearbox. The engine originally had a maximum output of 185 hp, and was upgraded to 210 hp in 2006. They are capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.85 seconds and braking from 200km/h (124 mph) to a stop in 4.60 seconds. The Tatuus Formula Renault car is the most successful single seater ever, with 10 years of service and nearly 1000 sold. The car has produced many current
Formula One stars, with 11 of the 25 drivers in the
2009 Formula One season using the car in the infancy of their careers. For the 2010 season, a new car developed by
Barazi-Epsilon, will be used in most major championships, with the old car still being used in minor championships such as
Formula Renault BARC in the UK.
Dimensions and weight :
Wheel Base: 2,645 mm :
Front Track: 1,434 mm :
Rear Track: 1,318 mm :
Minimum Weight: 490 kg without driver / 565 kg with driver
Chassis The chassis is a carbon fiber cell designed and developed by
Tatuus and
Renault Sport. It also incorporates a
FIA-approved roll hoop and lateral driver's head protection. This was introduced in 2000 and updated with new bodywork in 2004 and 2007. Both the chassis and engine are of an FIA-approved "impact break-away" design.
Cockpit : XAP Multi-Changeable Dashboard Display : FIA-approved Safety Features : Roll Hoop and Lateral Driver's Head Protective Padding : Deformable, double-jointed steering column : Removable steering wheel : Six-point, 3-inch driver's shoulder and lap harnesses : FT3 fuel cell : Manually operated 5 kg fire extinguisher
Engine The engine is a sealed, 16-valve, 4-cylinder
Renault Sport type F4R FRS with Orbisoud race exhaust system and catalytic converter, built and developed by
Renault Sport. :
Capacity: 1998 cc :
Max Output: at 6,500 rpm :
Max Torque: 22mkg (159lb.ft) at 5,500 rpm :
Lubrication: Dry Sump,
Elf Evolution LDX 5w/40 :
Spark Plugs:
NGK PFR6E10 :
ECU: Sealed
Magneti-Marelli MF4L ignition system
Gearbox Formula Renault uses a Sadev 6-speed, sequential gearbox with mechanical control featuring three specified sets of ratios using a Limited Slip Differential and Twin-Plate. The clutch is hydraulic. It also uses Elf Transmission LS.
Suspension :
Front: Pushrod, controlled single damper with adjustable bump and rebound :
Rear: Pushrod, controlled twin dampers with adjustable bump and rebound
Brake The brakes are four-pot calipers, with ventilated discs and
Ferodo(type DS4003) pads. They include cockpit-adjustable bias front-to-rear.
Tyres :
Front: 16/53 x :
Rear: 23/57 x :
Manufacturer:
Michelin control :Exceptions :
Asia:
Kumho (since 2002) :
Brazil:
Pirelli (2002–2006) :
North America:
Yokohama (since 2004)
Wheels :
Front: 8 inches x :
Rear: 10 inches x :
Manufacturer: OZ
2010–present Manufactured by
Barazi-Epsilon EB01 A Main changes to the previous models are: • Engine: 2.0L
Renault F4R 832 - maximal output has been raised to • Gearbox is now 7-speed sequential
Championships Two sorts of Formula Renault 2.0 championships exist. Regular championships and Winter Series, an off-season championship held usually between November and February with few races. In 2005, all series names were replaced from
Formula Renault 2000 to
Formula Renault 2.0. An Uruguayan 2.0L series is also held (José Pedro Passadores 2003 champion).
Winners A majority of Formula Renault champions have gone onto lead successful careers in motor racing, most notably
Alain Prost who won the
Formula One World Championship four times in his career. Other drivers include
Didier Pironi,
Kimi Räikkönen,
Felipe Massa and
Lewis Hamilton all of whom have gone onto win Grands Prix.
Formula Renault 2.0L timeline ==Formula Renault 1.6L==