Formula 1 – Aerodynamics in Action

16 April 2018

F1 returned to the Branch, with Renault Sports supported by Infiniti Motors who have a major operation in the City.

Bob Bell – Chief Technical Officer, Renault Sport Formula One Team, shared with us, his career, and his role as an aerodynamist, with not just Renault Sport, but McLaren, Jorden and Mercedes.  We learnt about the challenges and differences between what F1 and aviation considers important in the world of aerodynamics.  The audience enjoyed this inspiring story.

Renault are currently involved in Formula One as a constructor, under the name of Renault Sport Formula One Team. They have been associated with Formula One as both constructor and engine supplier for various periods since 1977. In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One in its first car, the Renault RS01. In 1983, Renault began supplying engines to other teams. Although the Renault team won races and competed for world titles, it withdrew at the end of 1985. Renault continued supplying engines to other teams until 1986, then again from 1989 to 1997.

Renault returned to Formula One in 2000. In 2002 Renault re-branded the team as "Renault F1 Team" and started to use Renault as their constructor name, winning both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 2005 and 2006.

Renault has also supplied engines to other teams, including Red Bull Racing (2007–2015), Benetton Formula (1995–1997, 2001) and Williams (1989–1997, 2012–2013). In addition to its two own F1 World Constructors' Championships (2005, 2006) and two Drivers' Championships, as an engine supplier, Renault has contributed to nine other World Drivers' Championships. It has collected over 160 wins as engine supplier, ranking third in Formula One history.