Renault F1 gives victorious send off to RS27 V8 engine in Brazil

Sebastian Vettel (Infiniti Red Bull Racing-Renault) became the last winner of a race using an F1 V8 engine in today’s Brazilian Grand Prix. Mark Webber finished second in his final F1 race, giving a 1-2 finish for the RS27

— Renault won the first V8-powered race in 2006 (Bahrain GP) and now comes full circle to win the final event
— It is a hat-trick for end-of-era successes for Renault, with wins at the last race of the 3.0l V10 engine era (2005) and 3.5l V10 era (1994)
— Renault is the most successful engine manufacturer under the current engine regulations, with 60 wins, 66 pole positions and 56 fastest laps, plus 5 Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships
— In more than 30 years of competition in the FIA Formula One World Championship, Renault has won 12 titles (30% of the available titles), 2 under its own banner (2005 and 2006) and additionally as an engine supplier (1992-1997 and 2010-2013). Renault also holds the record for the most engine manufacturer poles in the sport (213)
— Renault now bids to win back-to-back titles in the next engine era, which sees the Renault Energy F1 V6 turbocharged Power Units introduced next season

This weekend Renault Sport F1, the F1 division of Renault, consolidated its record as Formula 1’s most successful V8 engine manufacturer. Sebastian Vettel’s win in the Brazilian Grand Prix, held in Sao Paulo, took its tally of wins to 60, over 40% of the wins of the eight year period.

Over this era, the V8 engine developed by 250 engineers at Renault Sport F1’s headquarters in Viry-Châtillon has won 5 Constructors’ titles with two partners, Infiniti Red Bull Racing (2010-2011-2012-2013) and Renault F1 Team (2006).

Rob White, deputy managing director (technical) looks back on the V8s: ‘Getting to the end of an engine formula is a time for reflection and I am proud of what we’ve achieved. The birth of the V8 was an opportunity, but also an enormous challenge. We were fighting for the 2005 championship with the last V10 and ultimately succeeding brought a weight of expectation to bear. The team at Viry did a great job to manage the development of two engines in parallel and to win with both.

‘Among the wins that stand out for me is the first race of the V8 era, the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2006, won by Alonso. It was a fantastic relief to know that our hard work and difficult choices had been on the right track. We had been up against it for the development of the V8, and we took some decisions that surprised our competitors and onlookers at the time – for example we were very late to test on track; everyone else was running an interim car on circuits while we were back at base dyno testing!

‘Securing the title at the last race in 2006 was a very special feeling. To show how intense it was, I do not actually remember the race in Brazil – I remember more the reaction at the factory and the celebrations with all the Renault team.

‘Winning as both a team owner and an engine supplier is also a major achievement, also to adapt to the very different requirements of both environments. In Abu Dhabi 2010 we pulled it off with Red Bull Racing when Vettel won his first Drivers’ championship. We had had some problems during the season, but remained focused and determined to support our partner the end. The race was very tense and Sebastian’s victory in the race and well-earned championship were a great relief.
‘Winning today seems a fitting end to the era – we’ve won a lot of races and learned a great deal. The challenge facing the Viry team for 2014 cannot be underestimated. Success in the past is no guarantee of success in the future, but if we keep the same spirit and work ethic that have yielded results with the V8, it bodes well for next year and beyond.’

With the curtain now down on the normally-aspirated V8 engines, the scene is set for the downsized, turbocharged V6 Power Units equipped with potent electrical recovery systems in 2014.