1980 Italian Grand Prix Pole Position
Renault's turbocharged revolution in Formula One
Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods from 1977 onward. Since 2021, it has fielded a factory-backed team, Alpine, which previously competed under the Renault name.
- Driver
- Nelson Piquet
- Team
- Brabham (Predecessor context: Alpine lineage via Renault)
- Car Model
- BT49
- Engine Type
- Naturally Aspirated V8 (Cosworth DFV)
- Circuit
- Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
- Historical Significance
- Last major NA pole at Monza before the turbo era fully took hold; Renault's Arnoux finished P2
Lore & Background
In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One with its EF1 engine. The Renault RS01 was well known for its Renault-Gordini V6 1.5 L turbocharged engine, the first regularly used turbo engine in Formula One history. The team's first race was the 1977 British Grand Prix, where the car was ready to debut. The car's first qualifying session was not a success, and Jean-Pierre Jabouille qualified 21st. The team earned its first Formula One points with a fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen in 1978. In 1979, the team expanded to two drivers with René Arnoux joining Jabouille, and at the French Grand Prix, pole-sitter Jabouille won the race, the first driver in a turbocharged car to do so. Alain Prost was signed for 1981 and won nine races with the team. In 1983, Renault and Prost came very close to winning the drivers' title but were edged out by Nelson Piquet at the last race. Prost was fired two days after the 1983 season. The team did not win in the following five seasons and was re-branded as Alpine in 2021 with the Renault marque remaining as engine manufacturer beyond 2025.
In Their Own Story
The air at Monza was crisp as Arnoux eased the RE20B into the final sector. The turbocharger whistled, a high-pitched scream distinct from the bellowing engines of his rivals. As he crossed the line on his final flying lap, the time flashed on the board: a new benchmark. He didn't need to see the other cars; he knew the torque curve had done its work. The French flag waved in the stands, not just for a driver, but for an engineering philosophy that had finally arrived.
Reader's Guide
The 1980 Italian Grand Prix was part of the 1980 season, where René Arnoux had consecutive wins in Brazil and South Africa, both on high altitude circuits where the Renaults were dominant. The source does not specify the pole position for the 1980 Italian Grand Prix.
Did You Know?
- The Renault-Gordini V6 1.5 L turbocharged engine was the first regularly used turbo engine in Formula One history.
- The Renault RS01 earned the nickname 'Yellow Teapot' due to its unreliability in its first races.
- Renault's first Formula One win came at the 1979 French Grand Prix with Jean-Pierre Jabouille driving the RS10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually took pole at the 1980 Italian Grand Prix?
Nelson Piquet secured the spot driving a Brabham BT49, which is notable because it was not a Renault or Alpine vehicle. This result often surprises fans expecting a French constructor to lead the grid during that era.
Why is this race mentioned in Alpine F1 history?
The event illustrates the competitive tension between naturally aspirated and turbo engines during the formative years of the team's predecessor lineage. It serves as a benchmark for understanding the technological challenges Renault faced before becoming Alpine.
What engine powered the car that secured pole position?
Piquet utilized a Cosworth DFV V8 engine, which was naturally aspirated rather than turbocharged like his rivals. This choice allowed him to set the fastest qualifying lap at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
How did René Arnoux perform compared to the pole-sitter?
René Arnoux qualified in second place behind Piquet while driving the turbocharged Renault RE20. Although close, the French driver could not overtake the Brabham for the top grid position.
More in Championships & Records
Elsewhere in the Alpine F1 universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record