Renault R202

Lore & Background

The R202 was Renault's official return to Formula One as a chassis maker and full team for 2002. The R202 was launched in Paris, France on 27 January 2002. Benetton, the team they had purchased, were fully rebranded into the Renault family with the car featuring a predominantly yellow livery (the traditional Renault color) with blue accents for returning lead sponsor Mild Seven, except at the British and French Grands Prix. In countries where advertising of tobacco products was not allowed, the Mild Seven text was replaced with 'Blue World'.

In Their Own Story

The Hungarian air hung heavy over the Hungaroring as Fernando Alonso climbed into the cockpit of the R202. The engine roared to life, a familiar yet powerful V10 note that seemed to promise more than just participation. As he pushed out onto the grid, the blue and yellow livery gleamed under the floodlights, a stark contrast to the reds dominating the track. With a deep breath, he shifted focus from the noise of the crowd to the silence of concentration. When the lights went out, the car surged forward not with hesitation, but with a newfound confidence that would soon echo through history.

Reader's Guide

The chassis was designed by Mike Gascoyne with support from Bob Bell, Tim Densham, John Iley and Pat Symonds. The R202 was an aerodynamic development of the 2001 car, building on the gains made from their extensive wind tunnel testing. The R202 featured Renault's RS22 V10 engine, featuring a unique 111° degree cylinder bank angle featuring a lower centre of gravity than any other F1 engine at the time. The RS22 engine powering the R202 had an output of 825 hp at 17,500rpm. The R202 utilised Michelin tyres, an agreement reached prior to the French companies return to F1 in 2001. The R202 was formally tested ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Silverstone by race team drivers Trulli and Button. Chassis 1, 2 and 3 were all utilised ahead of the first race. Reserve driver, Fernando Alonso continued testing parts for the R202 at Silverstone into March.

Did You Know?

• The season started poorly for Renault in Australia; both Button and Trulli were eliminated due to collisions, and by Lap 9 had no runners in the field.
• Trulli and Button took the R202 to its only double points finish at the 2002 Italian Grand Prix in Monza despite both having qualified outside the top ten.
• Despite the reliability challenges, the R202 took Renault to fourth place in the World Constructors Championship standings at the end of the season with 23 points.
• Button scored 14 points and Trulli 9, the pair finishing seventh and eighth in the drivers standings but scored no podiums for the first time since 1988, when the team was known as Benetton.
• The R202 would be Button's final season driving for Renault in his Formula One career; he departed for British American Racing.