## Which F1 Cars Use Renault Engines?
**Introduction**
Renault has been a long-time supplier of engines to Formula 1 teams, with a rich history and numerous successes. In recent years, the French manufacturer has focused on supplying customer engines to smaller teams, while also providing power units to its own works team, Alpine. Here’s a comprehensive overview of which F1 cars have used Renault engines in the sport’s history:
Williams
* **1983-1986:** Williams FW08-FW10
* **1989-1997:** Williams FW11B-FW19
Williams and Renault forged a dominant partnership in the mid-1980s and 1990s, winning four consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 1986 to 1989 with drivers Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell. The FW11B, designed by Patrick Head and powered by a turbocharged Renault V6 engine, set numerous records and is considered one of the most significant F1 cars of all time.
Benetton
* **1995-1997:** Benetton B195-B197
Benetton’s partnership with Renault was a short-lived but successful one, with the team winning the Constructors’ Championship in both 1995 and 1996. The B195, designed by Rory Byrne, featured a Renault V10 engine and was driven by Michael Schumacher, who won his first two World Drivers’ Championships with Benetton.
Lotus
* **2011-2015:** Lotus T127-T130
Lotus’s association with Renault was a less successful one, with the team struggling to compete for podiums or victories. The T127 was powered by a Renault V8 engine, but the team’s performance declined over the years, leading to the end of the partnership in 2015.
Red Bull
* **2007-2018:** Red Bull RB3-RB14
Red Bull’s partnership with Renault was one of the most dominant in recent F1 history, with the team winning four consecutive Constructors’ Championships and Drivers’ Championships with Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013. The RB9, designed by Adrian Newey, was powered by a Renault V8 engine and was one of the most successful F1 cars of all time.
Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri)
* **2007-2014:** Toro Rosso STR2-STR9
Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team, used Renault engines from its inception in 2007 until 2014. The team struggled to achieve significant success, but the STR9, powered by a Renault V6 engine, was one of the team’s best performers.
Caterham
* **2011-2014:** Caterham CT01-CT05
Caterham, a Malaysian team, used Renault V8 engines from 2011 to 2014. The team struggled to compete throughout its existence and went into administration in 2014.
Alpine
* **2021-present:** Alpine A521-A523
Renault’s current works team, Alpine, uses its own Renault-developed power units. The A521 was the team’s first car to use a Renault engine, and the team has shown promise in recent seasons, with Esteban Ocon finishing fifth in the 2021 Drivers’ Championship.
Conclusion
Renault engines have been used in a wide range of F1 cars over the years, from legendary Williams and Red Bull machines to smaller team efforts. The French manufacturer has a proven track record of success, with multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships to its name. As Renault continues to focus on customer engines, it remains to be seen whether the team will return to the forefront of F1 in the future.
