Renault R.S.20

Lore & Background

The chassis was designed by Nick Chester, Martin Tolliday, Simon Virrill, Matt Harman, Pierre Genon and Dirk de Beer with Marcin Budkowski overseeing the design and production of the car as executive technical director and Rémi Taffin leading the powertrain design. The car was planned to make its competitive debut at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, but this was delayed when the next nine events were cancelled or postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The R.S.20 made its debut at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix. It was driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon in 2020. Ricciardo scored Renault's first podium since it returned to Formula One at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, while Ocon scored his first career podium at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. Because of financial and logistical challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, an agreement was reached between the FIA and Formula One teams so that 2020 cars would be carried over to 2021, with development of certain areas of the cars frozen after the end of the 2020 season. The R.S.20 was updated for the 2021 season and rebranded as the Alpine A521 after Renault rebranded its Formula One team under the Alpine name.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Red Bull Ring paddock is thick with anticipation. Under the harsh Austrian sun, the R.S.20 sits in the pit lane, its bold yellow and dark blue livery gleaming against the asphalt. Daniel Ricciardo climbs into the cockpit, the familiar scent of fuel and rubber filling his nostrils. As he fires up the E-Tech 20 engine, the roar echoes off the grandstands—a sound that signifies both an ending and a beginning. With a few final checks from the mechanics, he pulls out onto the grid, ready to drive the last chapter of the Renault era before the team transforms into something new.

Reader's Guide

The Renault R.S.20 is the last car to have been designed by Nick Chester during his time with the team. Chester was replaced as Technical Director in the 2019-20 off-season by former McLaren Engineering Director Pat Fry. Peter Machin was replaced as Head of Aerodynamics by Williams' former chief aerodynamicist Dirk de Beer, who had returned to Renault after last working for the team in 2013.

Did You Know?

• The R.S.20 was driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon in 2020.
• Ricciardo scored Renault's first podium since its return to Formula One at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix.
• Ocon scored his first career podium at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.
• The car was rebranded as the Alpine A521 for the 2021 season.