Renault RE50
| Industry | Motorsport |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | Formula One World Championship |
Key people | Patrick Tambay, Derek Warwick, Philippe Streiff (test driver) |
| Products | Formula One racing cars (Renault RE50 in 1984) |
| Parent | Renault |
The Renault RE50 served as the official Formula One vehicle for the Renault in Formula One team during the 1984 Formula One World Championship. Piloted by French driver Patrick Tambay, a two-time Grand Prix victor, and Briton Derek Warwick, who transferred from Ferrari and Toleman respectively, a third car was introduced at the season finale for test driver Philippe Streiff. Although the RE50 achieved three runner-up placements and two third-place finishes, it represented Renault’s first campaign without a victory since the RS01 in .
Anticipated to rival the performance of the previous season's RE40—Alain Prost's car that secured four wins—the RE50 demonstrated promising pace initially but encountered significant challenges. Its Renault EF4 turbocharged engine delivered approximately , yet the newly imposed 220-litre fuel capacity limit combined with a ban on mid-race refueling resulted in excessive fuel consumption, hindering its ability to contend for wins. This fuel efficiency issue also impacted other Renault-powered squads such as Lotus, engineered by ex-Renault designer Gérard Ducarouge. Despite deploying an innovative electronic fuel monitoring system, Renault was unable to fully overcome this limitation.
A further critical vulnerability lay in the vehicle’s carbon fibre monocoque chassis. While this composite offered greater strength compared to conventional aluminium, it remained susceptible to damage; Warwick sustained leg injuries during incidents at Dijon and Monaco circuits, and Tambay suffered a leg fracture after colliding with Warwick’s crashed car at Monaco’s opening corner. Both injuries were caused by suspension components penetrating the monocoque structure.
Warwick earned points in five races—two second places, two third places, and one fourth—culminating in seventh place in the Drivers' Championship with 23 points. Tambay contributed four points finishes, including a second place, concluding eleventh overall with 11 points. Together, their total of 34 points secured fifth position for Renault in the Constructors' standings. Tambay also claimed the team’s only pole position at the French Grand Prix on home soil and led more than half of that race before finishing second behind McLaren’s Niki Lauda. Each driver recorded one fastest lap during the season.
The RE50 was replaced by the Renault RE60 for the following season.
Complete Formula One results
(key) (bold indicates pole position; italics denotes fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Driver | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Pts. | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:F1 | Equipe Renault Elf | Renault Gordini EF4 V6 tc |
Template:Michelin | BRA | RSA | BEL | SMR | FRA | MON | CAN | DET | DAL | GBR | GER | AUT | NED | ITA | EUR | POR | 34 | 5th | |
| Patrick Tambay | 5 | Ret | 7 | Ret | 2 | Ret | WD | Ret | Ret | 8 | 5 | Ret | 6 | Ret | Ret | 7 | ||||||
| Derek Warwick | Ret | 3 | 2 | 4 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 2 | 3 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 11 |