General
The history of Alpine F1 Team: Many world champions, but also some bad years
- GPblog.com
Renault will continue under a new name as from next season. The name Alpine will be on the cars next year and the French car manufacturer will also bring a new livery with it. In recent seasons the yellow Renault car was often found in the forefront of the midfield and next year they will most probably drive there again.
In the past, Renault was able to achieve much better results, as the history of the French team goes all the way back to 1981 when Toleman Motorsport made their debut in Formula 1. Toleman was the team where Ayrton Senna made his F1 debut. He has also been the most successful for the Toleman team. With three podium finishes in 1984, it was a successful debut year for the Brazilian.
Schumacher ensures success
In 1985, Toleman had financial problems and before the 1986 season, the team was sold to Benetton Group. Under the name Benetton, the team then began its rise. The 1990s proved to be enormously successful for the team. With Michael Schumacher, who in 1991, after his promising debut at Jordan in Belgium, was allowed to drive the rest of the season at Benetton.
That was ultimately a golden move because in the four seasons that followed the team took podium after podium. Two third places and a second place in the championship followed and in 1995 the team took their first and only constructors' title under the Benetton name. In that championship year, the Renault name also appeared for the first time.
Crashgate and many line-up changes
The French finally took over Benetton in 2000 but were not allowed to drive under the Renault name until 2002. With Fernando Alonso the strongest results were achieved in 2005 and 2006. Two Constructors' and Drivers' Championships were won, but after that, it all went downhill quickly, with the 2008 and 2009 season as the low point, when 'crash gate' came to light.
In 2011, Renault took a step back and became an engine supplier, while Lotus continued under the Renault name. Between 2012 and 2015, the Lotus F1 Team drove around until Renault bought the team back in 2016. Since then, the yellow Renault has been driving around as we have come to expect, with many changes of drivers. In 2016, Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen still drove for Renault, Nico Hulkenberg replaced Magnussen and mid-season Palmer was replaced by Carlos Sainz.
Old acquaintance returns
Eventually, Sainz was replaced by Ricciardo and a season later Hulkenberg for Ocon. The latter also drives for the new Alpine, with former Renault driver Fernando Alonso. Ocon and Alonso will have to make the French proud under the Alpine name next year, at a team with a rich history of winning races.
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