The Renault RE20 was a Formula One car raced by the Renault team in the 1980 season. The car was designed by François Castaing and Michel Têtu and designed using Ground effect aerodynamics. The car was powered by the 1.5L turbocharged Renault Gordini EF1 engine, which by 1981 was producing a reported 520 bhp (388 kW; 527 PS). This was roughly 50 more than the 3.0L Cosworth DFV V8 still in wide use at the time in Formula One, though Renault's power did lag behind the new 560 bhp (418 kW; 568 PS) turbocharged engine being used by Ferrari. In keeping with everything French on the car, the tyres used by Renault were Michelin.

Renault RE20
Renault RE20B
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRenault
Designer(s)François Castaing (technical director)
Michel Têtu (chief designer)
Marcel Hubert (head of aerodynamics)
Bernard Dudot (chief engine designer)
PredecessorRS10
SuccessorRE30
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium monocoque
Axle trackFront: 1,720 mm (68 in)
Rear: 1,630 mm (64 in)
Wheelbase2,860 mm (113 in)
EngineRenault Gordini EF1, 1,492 cc (91.0 cu in), V6, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionHewland FGA 400 5-speed manual
Weight615 kg (1,356 lb)
FuelElf
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsEquipe Renault Elf
Notable drivers15. France Jean-Pierre Jabouille
15. France Alain Prost
16. France René Arnoux
Debut1980 Argentine Grand Prix
First win1980 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last win1980 Austrian Grand Prix
Last event1981 Belgian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
193554
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The driving lineup for the all French team was made up at the time entirely of French drivers. Driving the RE20 in 1980 were Jean-Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux, while in 1981 Arnoux continued with the team but Jabouille was replaced by a young Alain Prost who had made his Formula One debut in 1980 for McLaren.

The Renault RE20 achieved three Grand Prix wins during the 1980 season. Arnoux won both the Brazilian and South African races while Jabouille was the winner of the Austrian Grand Prix.

A modified version of the car, the RE20B, raced in first five races of the 1981 season. The RE20B was replaced by the Renault RE30.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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(key) (note: results shown in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pts. WCC
1980 Equipe Renault Elf Renault Gordini EF1
V6 tc
M ARG BRA RSA USW BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 38 4th
  Jean-Pierre Jabouille Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 1 Ret Ret Ret
  René Arnoux Ret 1 1 9 4 Ret 5 NC Ret 9 2 10 Ret 7
1981 Equipe Renault Elf Renault Gordini EF1
V6 tc
M USW BRA ARG SMR BEL MON ESP FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN CPL 54* 3rd
  Alain Prost Ret Ret 3 Ret Ret
  René Arnoux 8 Ret 5 8 DNQ

* 48 points scored in 1981 using the Renault RE30

References

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