Renault's new motorsport program was recently presented at the Group's own Technocentre development center in Guyancourt near Paris. The manufacturer shows the new foundation of sporting endeavors, which is based on two pillars. On the one hand, the department will be divided into Renault Sport Racing including the newly founded Renault Sport Formula 1 Team and on the other hand into Renault Sport Cars. The French also announced goals and directions.The Renault Sport Racing division is not limited to Formula 1, it also supports other racing formats. These include the Renault e.dams team in the Formula E electric racing series, Formula Renault 2.0, the Renault Sport RS01 Trophy and other racing and rally programs for customer teams. In private, one can fall back on the Renault Sport Cars vehicle program for the public roads. Together, both areas continue to sit under the Renault umbrella, they want to use the technology transfer and synergy effects and incorporate the achievements into road traffic. Nevertheless, the events are controlled from two locations: On the one hand from Enstone in Great Britain and on the other hand from Viry-Châtillon, south of Paris.
The Cars division of Renault Motorsport deals with the development and marketing of the Renault Sport model portfolio and is intended to contribute to increasing the brand awareness. Renault is already worldwide with the two compact sports cars Renault Mégane RS and Clio RS are known for real racing rolls. In the future, however, the presence should become more international and not just limited to Europe. For this, one would like to further expand the brand image and product portfolio.
Looking at the overall structure of the new structure, two goals emerge: On the one hand, the Renault Sport Formula 1 team should promote the image of the Renault Sport brand on the floor of Formula 1. On the other hand, the racing series, such as Formula E or racing activities such as the Clio Cup, are intended to strengthen other aspects of the Renault model range. The electric racing branch is led by the four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost and Jean-Paul Driot, the president of the racing team dams (Driot-Arnoux Motorsport). A drivetrain consisting of an electric motor and gearbox was developed entirely on our own, with the aim of achieving a very special goal: winning the drivers 'and designers' world championships.
The first product of the two branches' collaboration is slated to be unveiled at the Monaco Grand Prix in late May. This should show that the synergies not only work from a technical and commercial point of view, but are also accessible to normal drivers. Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Renault, said:
"We believe that motorsport enthusiasts and everyday drivers are equally enthusiastic"
When it comes to racing activities, the focus is of course on the new Renault Sport Formula One Team based around the newly developed F1 car. It consists of the RS16 chassis developed and manufactured in Enstone, UK, and the Renault RE16 Power Unit. Infiniti, a brand of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is supporting Renault in Formula 1 with a technology program to develop a new ERS (Energy Recovery System). This system feeds energy from the recovery of kinetic and thermal energy into the drive unit. Of course there will also be new sponsors. These include Bell & Ross, a luxury watch manufacturer, and Devialet, which produce high-end sound systems. In addition, the Renault works team is extending its collaboration with software producers Microsoft and EMC as well as with Gravity Motorsports. The Boldie is piloted by the Dane Kevin Magnussen and the British Jolyon Palmer.
The other motorsport divisions are no less important. In rallying, the French will be active with the Clio R3T, while the Clio Cup focuses on circuit races. There will also be the Renault Sport RS01 Trophy and the Formula Renault 2.0 Monoposto series. The latter is considered a talent pool. The Renault Sport Academy, which was just founded, also builds on this. It should serve to discover young talents who can later be brought into the premier class. So if you think you are the next Schumi, you should get together with the French from Renault Motorsport as soon as possible.