Renault R25

Renault R25
Company type	Formula One racing car
Industry	Motorsport, Automotive
Founded	2005
Founder	Renault Sport F1 Team
Headquarters	Enstone, United Kingdom
Products	Formula One cars

The Renault R25 served as Renault's Formula One contender throughout the 2005 season. Its design was led by Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham, and Dino Toso, all operating under the guidance of Executive Engineer Pat Symonds. Engine development was overseen by Bernard Dudot, resulting in a car that blended cutting-edge engineering with tactical ingenuity.

In 2005, the R25 secured both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, representing Renault's first championship victories since the Matra MS80 in 1969 and the first for a Renault-powered vehicle since the Williams FW19 in 1997. This achievement also marked the first constructors' title for an Enstone-based team since Benetton's B195 captured it in 1995.

Equipped with the naturally aspirated Renault RS25 V10 engine, producing between 800 and 900 horsepower at 19,000 RPM, and coupled with a six-speed sequential semi-automatic transmission, the R25 exhibited strong competitiveness on various circuits. Over nineteen races, it amassed eight victories, seven pole positions, and three fastest laps, reinforcing Renault's reputation in Formula One engineering and motorsport innovation.

History

Throughout the season, the R25 was frequently outpaced by the McLaren MP4-20, which achieved eight to ten wins. Nonetheless, its reliability and steady performance enabled it to secure the final victory and championships for a V10-powered Formula One car, signifying a pivotal moment for drivers Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella.

The R25 also brought Michelin its inaugural title since re-entering Formula One, one of only two it earned before departing after 2006. The tyre manufacturer repeated this success with Renault’s R26 in 2006. Notably, this car was the first Constructors' Championship winner since 1991 not crafted by either Adrian Newey or Rory Byrne.

Accumulating 191 points over 19 races, the R25 achieved eight wins and fifteen podium finishes. It failed to score points only twice in eighteen starts (excluding the US Grand Prix, where Renault withdrew). This model was also Renault's final Formula One car to utilize a six-speed gearbox before transitioning to the mandatory seven-speed transmission in 2006.

Sponsorship and livery

Renault prominently featured 'Mild Seven' branding except during the Canadian, French, British, Turkish, Italian, and Belgian Grands Prix. At these events, the team substituted their usual logos with designs incorporating Phoenix motifs, floral patterns, tribal elements, and flames accompanied by the phrase "Team Spirit."

Later uses

In Series 10, Episode 8 of Top Gear, aired in 2007, presenter Richard Hammond completed two laps of Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit driving the R25.

On December 11, 2020, Fernando Alonso returned behind the wheel of this car for the first time in fifteen years prior to the initial practice session of the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. During this appearance, the vehicle ran on Pirelli demonstration slick tyres rather than its original Michelin grooved tyres.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (bold denotes pole position; italics indicate fastest laps)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Points	WCC
2005	Renault	Renault V10	Template:Michelin		AUS	MAL	BHR	SMR	ESP	MON	EUR	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	TUR	ITA	BEL	BRA	JPN	CHN	191	1st
				Template:Country data ESP Template:Namespace detect showall Fernando Alonso	3	1	1	1	2	4	1	Ret	DNS	1	2	1	11	2	2	2	3	3	1
				Template:Country data ITA Template:Namespace detect showall Giancarlo Fisichella	1	Ret	Ret	Ret	5	12	6	Ret	DNS	6	4	4	9	4	3	Ret	5	2	4

References