Current Formula 1 Constructors who’ve Won at Le Mans

Although when is an F1 Constructor not a winner at Le Mans?

 

Yeah, its another long winded No Fenders story turned into two part harmony. Or is that more groaning I hear?

 

As I’ve already covered the most successful Formula 1 constructor to win Le Mans overall. With the rest of the grid paling in comparison.

 

As I came up with the following trivia question. What do Mercedes and Williams share in common? As here’s what I came up with for winners, beside Ferrari.

 

Aston Martin: 1959

The Aston Martin DBR1 is the only other front engine winner at Le Mans. And yes, I realize that today’s Aston Martin F1 Team began life as Jordan Grand Prix, before Lawrence Stroll cleverly rebranded it as Aston Martin in 2021. Born out of the ashes of Force India and its interim name of Racing Point. Which dovetails nicely with His owning the controlling interest of their road car company.

 

As many will known, the David Brown owned Aston Martin Racing team designed the DBR1 for the 1956 Sports Car Championship season, before the upgraded 3.0-liter straight six cylinder lump’ was introduced in 1957.

 

After three years of frustration, Aston Martin achieved their greatest glory, winning that year’s 24 Heurs du Mans with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori at its controls. While Aston Martin would also win the Sports Car Championship title that year. Only achieved three times that decade. With Ferrari doing likewise in 1954 and 1958.

 

Yet how many remember that Aston Martin during the David Brown Corporation era also entered Formula 1 briefly between 1959-60? Although by the time they got round to introducing the DBR4 it was obsolete. Along with the lighter, replacement DBR5, both being front engine layouts with straight six engines. When Sir Blackjack’, aka Jack Brabham was dominating the sport in His Cooper rear engine racecar…

 

Alpine: 1978

Alpine has a long, tangled relationship with Renault, its parent company. With today’s Alpine F1 Team having been rebranded from the latest iteration of Renault in 2021.

 

Although Alpine had been merged into Renault Sport in 1976. Nevertheless, it assimilation included its Sports Car racing programme.  Which Renault wished to win Le Mans for the prestige of winning on home soil.

 

Interestingly, there were actually four Renault-Alpine’s entered in the 1978 race, one being a customer entry, with different models entered. Including the controversial ‘Bubble” top roof which was only raced upon the winning Alpine A442B.

 

As Patrick Depailler and Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the latest A443, said the acrylic bubble top partial roof made them feel claustrophobic and trapped engine heat in the cockpit. Along with obscuring vision. Even though Depailler set a top speed of 236mph on the Mulsanne Straight! As the acrylic “canopy” gave the car an extra 5mph…

 

Thus it was Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud winning aboard their bubble roof A442B.

 

And with the victory complete, Renault withdrew from endurance racing to focus their energies upon Formula 1. Before returning to endurance racing first with the A480, a rebadged Rebellion R13. Grandfathered into the ACO’sLMP1 Hypercar rules between 2021-22. And then today’s current factory Alpine A424 Hypercar programme. Which includes the likes of Mick Schumacher as one of the team’s six drivers.

 

Sauber: 1989

Peter Sauber began His long motorsports career by racing in Hill climbs in 1970 in a car of His own construction. While Sauber first competed at Le Mans in 1978 with its C5 Sports Car.

 

Sauber’s association with Mercedes Benz began in 1985, supplying engines for the Sauber C8 Group C chassis, with the C9 being introduced in 1987.

 

Sauber officially became the Mercedes Benz Werks Sports Car team the following year, and the C9 not only won at Le Mans in 1989, but also claimed the Constructors and Drivers titles that year.

 

The C9 was the second fastest car ever at Circuit de la Sarthe, recording a terminal velocity of 248mph, the magic 400kp/h on the Mulsanne Straight!

 

The renamed Mercedes Sauber C9 was replaced by the C11 for 1990, which also won the Constructors and Drivers titles again, before ultimately being replaced by the C291.

 

It was these “Silver Arrows” Sauber Sports Cars that I believe first brought my Attenzione to a young German driver named Herr Schumacher. As I tend to recall that Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger drove together as Junior Drivers for Mercedes in Group C, before all three advanced to formula 1.

 

Sauber itself made the leap from Sports Car racing at the end of the Group C era to F1 in 1993 with Mercedes backing, taking over the supply of Leyton House March’s Ilmor V-10 lumps’. Having remained in F1 ever since under various guises. And will become the Werks Audi F1 Team next year.

 

McLaren: 1995

Presume everyone knows of the evocative McLaren F1 GTR winning le 24 Heurs du Mans with Lanzante Motorsports in 1995. With J.J. Letho, Yanick Dalmas and Kokusai Kaihatsu at the controls of the No. 59 LMGT1 entry.

 

As the racecar was developed from the original McLaren Supercar designed by Gordon Murray, with its unique three seat layout, seating the driver’s lone seat in the cabin’s centre.

 

As I’m guessing that McLaren is the only Constructor to have won Frederico Suave, nee Fred Alonso’s mythical “Triple Crown”, i.e.; Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and either the Monaco Grand Prix or the F1 World Championship…

 

Williams: 1999

Yeah, technically Team Willy’s never won Le Mans, which I’m aware of. Yet I included them since Williams Grand Prix engineering designed, built and developed the winning BMW V-12 LMR Prototype that Yanick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini and Joachim Winkelhock drove to victory that year.

 

RETRO: Remembering some of BMW’s Sports Racing Cars

 

The quick answer to my trivia question above is the year 1999. Although it was also when Mark Handlebarz’ Webber and other members of the Mercedes Werks team went airborne and spectacularly barrel-rolled their CLR Prototypes. Which had a nasty habit of somersaulting due to high speed aerodynamic deficiency, Youza! 

The most successful Formula 1 Constructor at Le Mans

The 1965 winning Ferrari 250LM on display at the IMS Hall of Fame museum, a very long time ago. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although this should be Uber’ Obvious!

 

Suppose this is what happens when you’re deep into listening to several hours of le 24 Heurs du Mans on Zed Intrawoods’ via RS1. (Radio Show Ltd, Channel One)

 

Thus I found myself going down another endless Wabbit’ Hole, wondering out loud how many of today’s Formula 1 constructors had also won overall at Le Mans? Which perhaps some of you already know the answer.

 

As it’s a pretty significant 70% “Strike” rate, with only three teams not competing at Circuit de la Sarthe. Although I’m left wondering if one prominent F1 constructor has ever sponsored a winning entry? While arguably, 60% of the current F1 grid has actually won Le Mans.

 

(12) Ferrari: 1949, 1954, 1958, 1960-65, 2023-25

The Prancing Horse’s list of winners reads like a veritable Who’s who? Although not sure that could be said about most of today’s drivers, but who knows, Eh? Since thee Krakow Kid certainly is a “Star”.

 

Luigi Chinetti got the “Ball” rolling, no Hut-Hut Omaha jokes here! For Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari in 1949, some Gory 76 years ago! Driving the iconic “Red Barchetta”, the evocative Ferrari 166MM. With Chinetti driving an unheard of 23 Hours! While co-driver Peter Michell-Thompson, better known as Lord Selsdon, owner of the Ferrari. Drove for only an hour Sunday morning, around 4:25AM. As it was Chinetti’s third and final victory.

 

1954 saw Doce Argentinians winning for la Scuderia, with El Maestro and El Cabezon victorious. As Five-times F1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio needs no introduction! Teamed with Jose Froilan Gonzalez, better known as the Pampas Bull. Who also gave Ferrari its debutante Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1951.

 

F1: The British Grand Prix - Now and Then

 

As the Argentine duo were entered in a Ferrari 375+. With another four years passing by, before we get to la Scuderia’s Golden years.

 

In 1958, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won Le Mans aboard a Ferrari 250 TR58. Which would be the first of Gendebien’s eventual four Le Mans victories, while Hill would claim three wins.

 

Driving the front engine Ferrari 250 TR58, the pair won Le Mans for the first of their eventual combined three wins. As not sure why? But in 1960, Gendebien won behind the wheel of a Ferrari 250 TR59/60 with Paul frere, whom I remember better as a longtime contributor to Road & Track.

 

As I now know the answer to this unasked question. Ironically Hill was paired with Wolfgang von Trips in one of that year’s five Ferrari’s. With both von Trips and Ludovico Scarfiotti running out of fuel on lap-22 on-track. While eventual winner Gendebien also ran out of petrol, but was able to coast into the pits, Momma Mia!

 

Next, Gendebien reunited with Phil Hill for the pair’s second victory at Circuit de la Sarthe in 1961. Behind the keyboard of the aging, or should that be ageless? Ferrari 250 TRI/61.

 

For 1962, Gendebien and Hill won for the third time together, with Gendebien becoming the first ever four times winner. Driving a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spyder, the final front engine winner at Le Mans.

 

While I just learned that the “I” designation in TRI stands for “Indipendente”, for independent rear suspension. As TR stands for Testa Rossa, arguably some of la Scuderia’s most beautiful racecars!

 

This Le Mans specific 330 TRI/LM Spyder began life as a 250 TRI/60 Fantuzzi Spyder. Being rebuilt twice after wrecks in the Targa Florio, along with contesting the 1960-61 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

Then regulations allowed Ferrari to rebuild the car into its final configuration with a larger 4.0-litre normally aspirated V-12 and new bodywork. Which obviously was a different era for racecars…

 

1963 featured the first rear engine winner, the Ferrari 250P piloted by Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti. With Jean Guichet and Mino Baccarella winning behind the wheel of an “enlarged” 3.3-litre v-12 Ferrari 275P the following year.

 

Then for 1965, Ferrari won for the sixth year in-a-row thanks to the largely unexpected triumph of the privateer North American Racing Team’s (N.A.R.T.) Ferrari 250LM. Driven primarily by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt. Along with the unrecognized Ed Hugus.

 

As I won’t even bother trying to explain the controversy surrounding the 250LM and Enzo not getting His way with Homologation! With Scuderia Ferrari racing at Le Mans until 1973, when they quit Sports car racing.

 

Arse-suming Y’all know the story behind Ferrari’s current 499P, which carry’s the Nos. 50-51 in deference to it being a half century since the last factory entry at Le Mans. As the 499P is built to the Le Mans Hypercar regulations, with two Werks’ entries, plus a third “customer” entry contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

While the 499P shares the same 296 GTB 3.0-liter V-6 twin turbos architecture. It is a fully stressed member in the 499P Prototype. And its front axle electric motors generates an additional 268bhp, give the racecar semi-permanent All Wheel Drive.

 

Debuting at Sebring in 2023, the 499P was victorious at that year’s Centenary edition of the 24 Heurs du Mans. With the No. 51 of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado ending Toyota’s five year win streak.

 

Ferrari repeated at Le Mans the following year, this time with the Seester Factory entry #50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nickolas Nielsen. While AF Corse introduced the third “customer” 499P with Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye. With the No. 83 winning the Lone Star Le Mans race at Circuit Of The Americas. (COTA)

 

This June, Ferrari completed a Hat trick of Le Mans victories, this time with the customer No. 83 entry of Kubica, Ye and Phil Hanson. Bringing the Prancing Horse’s Le Mans win tally to twelve, one behind Audi. (13) As Audi ranks second overall, while Porsche leads the way with an astounding 19 Le Mans victories!

F1: Where will Horner go Now?

And can Red Bull turn around its Sinking Ship?

 

Have to say it came as a surprise to Mwah, reading the news over Christian Horner, the Pied Piper of Red Bull Racing being released of His duties as CEO effective immediately on Wednesday morning, July 9th.

 

Horner, alleged of “Bullying” and sexually harassing a female Red Bull employee, His personal assistant at the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, in which the Daily Mail is calling a sext texting scandal, claims that Horner has gotten His “Cumuffins”, which I find overly rich…

 

As Horner was cleared twice from this sexual harassment allegation by two separate Barristers, and had seemed to weather the storm, especially after Max Verstappen won His fourth, consecutive World Championship last year.

 

While I do not condone any form of sexual harassment, I find the Hypocrisy of one of His fiercest critic, once fondly known as Jos the Boss Verstappen dubious at best! Since Verstappen Senior seemed to be spearheading the charge for Horner’s dismissal over a year ago.

 

As why is no one writing about Jos’s former multiple Domestic Assaults? Having surrendered to Dutch police in January 2012, spending two weeks in Jail for Attempted Murder! Having supposedly tried to run down His former girlfriend, before being released due to lack of evidence.

 

This followed His ex-girlfriend being taken to hospital in November, 2011, after physical beating by Jos. For which the former 24 year old girlfriend, when Jos was 39 said had happened before.

 

Not to mention being fined and given three months suspended jail sentence in 2008 for domestic violence against his ex-wife, Max’s Mum. Or being convicted of Assault for breaking a man’s skull at a Karting track some ten-plus years prior…

 

Although I’m in no way defending the Dutchman’s unscrupulous antics. I’m now wondering if the Headline about the team imploding if Horner remained in power after the sex-texting scandal by Jos, stemmed from His personal experience?

 

Like Him or not, Horner led Red Bull to eight F1 Drivers and six Constructors Championships over His twenty-plus tenue as leader of Red Bull. Not to mention 124 Grands Prix victories in 405 starts, the fourth most ever by a Formula 1 team.

 

Therefore, at age 51, I cannot see Horner being finished in F1, and three current F1 teams jump out immediately to Mwah as possible landing destinations. Even though it sounds like Horner is on mandatory “gardening Leave” for the moment.

 

Horner has been rumoured to be on Ferrari’s radar previously, which He’s turned la Scuderia down previously to stay at Red Bull. Seeing currently embattled Team Principal Frederic Vausser landing the job.

 

But if F1 Pundit Ralf Schumacher is correct over Horner not appreciating criticism, then Ferrari seems like a bad fit. Since the Italian press is constantly castigating Scuderia Ferrari over its poor performance, and continuously demanding the dismissal of whomever is in charge! Not to mention uprooting wife Geri Halliwell and family to Italy.

 

No, for Mwah the two most likely future destinations would seem to be either Alpine or Cadillac.

 

The move to Cadillac would be brilliant, giving them instant creditability. Not to mention somebody in charge with a winning pedigree. Although not sure how this would work out for current boss Graeme Lowdon?

 

Although again, the TWG Group seems intent on running the F1 operation out of its Fishers complex in the future, implying that Horner would need to move to another country. Unless perhaps Lowdon became Deputy Team Principal and oversaw the Stateside operation?

 

While I’d say the most logical choice would be Alpine, provided it gave Horner a long enough leash to turn the franchise around. Since they’ve got a nasty habit of dumping leadership routinely!

 

Although reportedly, Horner is good friends with HMS Monogram’, aka flavour Flav’, nee Flavio Briatore, who may be quick to snap up the services of His friend?

 

Whilst what about Steve Nielsen? Just confirmed as the team’s new Managing Director, effective September 1st. As Nielsen will be responsible for day-to-day operations.

 

But being a truly British team based at Enstone, and supposedly with updated premises, this would be the most convenient for Horner. As who knows where it could lead?

 

While you’d have to think that Aston Martin’s a longshot, since I think there’s already too many Cooks in the kitchen! And how would Adrian Newey feel about re-uniting with Horner?

 

As only time will tell where Messer Horner lands, provided He does return to Formula 1 in the future, which feels inevitable to Mwah…

 

Meanwhile, Laurent Mekies, previous Boss of Racing Bulls takes over as CEO of Red Bull Racing. As the Frenchman began His Formula 1 career with Arrows, and engineered several F1 drivers at Minardi and Scuderia toro Rosso. He spent a brief stint as the FIA’s Safety Director and Deputy Race Director. Then moved to Ferrari as its Sporting Director before becoming Racing Bulls Team Principal.

 

Alan “Bat” Permane becomes Racing Bulls new Team Principal. Which will be interesting to see how the ‘lil bulls progress?

 

As Racing Bulls were currently tied for seventh place with Aston Martin on 36 Markers apiece, in the vaunted Constructors Championship before Mekies moved to Red Bull. With Sauber vaulting five points ahead to sixth, thanks to Nico Hulkenberg’s excellent third place finish at Silverstone. 

Two Championship leaders Stumble, A third Driver triumphs

As a forgotten Superhero finally Flex’s His Muscles! And its not Superman…

 

Yeah, this is old news, especially since IndyCar has just completed its Iowa Double Header weekend on the 0.875-mile Bullring (short track) Oval. Not to mention just returning from Up North eh! On the streets of Toronto…

 

Have to say that it was amusing to see both the IndyCar and Formula 1 Championship points leaders stumble at Mid-Ohio and Silverstone respectively, albeit both were self-inflicted wounds…

 

Having mused to myself that the race was over, when on lap 74 of 90, Alex Palou’s pit crew made the perfect stop with Strategist Barry Wanser’s superb call for Palou’s third pitstop enabling the Spaniard to beat Scott Dixon back on-track.

 

As Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) teammate Dixon was attempting to run the less preferred two stop strategy, being the master of fuel saving. But the race seemed over, as even the IMS Radio Network Booth boyz’ focused upon other “lesser” battles taking place further back in the pack. Tending to recall that Conor Daly and Rinus VeeKay got shout-outs. Which had nothing to do with Daly calling Santino Ferrucci a Clown!

 

Then the unthinkable happened with just five laps remaining, as Palou inexplicably slid offtrack at Turn 9, Hmm, who’s car number is that? And Dixon being 3.5 seconds behind said thank you very much Alex, Ole!

 

As thee Iceman 2.0 was not to be denied, even with Palou doing everything possible besides giving Dixon the Chrome Horn treatment the final four laps of the race, all to no avail! As Dixon became only the third different winner in IndyCar this season, with Honda having won all ten races to date. And if we include last year’s season finale at Nashville, Honda’s won 11 straight races, say what?

 

Dixon now has 59 career wins and has won an IndyCar race in  a record 21 consecutive seasons! Along with breaking Mario Andretti’s All-time IndyCar career starts tally of 407 upon making His 408th IndyCar start at this year’s Indianapolis 500, Aye Karumba!

 

Meanwhile, across thoust Gory Puddle, we all know what happened at Bloody Silverstone, during typical English summer weather. Before the skies fell down upon thee Pied Piper Chris Horner!

 

As race leader Oscar Piastri was penalized 10 seconds for braking erratically behind the Safety Car, with Max Verstappen almost colliding with Him! As Max pirouetted down to tenth place, before recovering to finish fifth.

 

As the penalty did seem harsh, albeit Sky Sports Pundit Martin Billybob’ Brundle seemed to think the penalty was warranted. Saying “they’ll” want to have a look at that, insinuating that Piastri had been too clever and indeed braked erratically. As McLaren would later divulge that Piastri had applied some 59.2psi braking force and somewhere else I read the Aussie’s speed plummeted from 218kph down to 52kph, Anchors Away!

 

Thus Piastri had to dejectedly settle for second place behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was gifted victory at His home race, which I suppose is fitting for Formula 1 celebrating its 75th anniversary.

 

Thus Piastri’s points lead over Norris shrinks to eight, with Oscar leaving five wins to Lando’s four at the halfway point of the F1 season.

 

But I’m certain that both Palou and Piastri will learn from these mistakes and only become stronger in the future, an ominous sign for their competitions…

 

Yet for Mwah, the highlight of the weekend was The Incredible Hulk’, Err Hulkster’, nee Nico Hulkenberg claiming His first podium on His 239th start, the current Formula 1 record for most starts without a podium, Sheisa!

 

Hulkenberg had a meteoric rise thru Karting and Junior series with multiple championships, including the 2009 GP2 title; today’s formula 2 Championship, which he won as a rookie.

 

Williams signed the promising rookie for 2010. As its hard to believe I still remember Nico winning pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix 15 years ago. Which I tend to recall was done in the wet, under not ideal conditions.

 

Yet Nico would be replaced by Pastor Maldonado the following year at Williams, presumably bringing barrels full of Venezuelan PDVSA Oil money. Although Maldonado scored Williams last Grand Prix victory in 2013.

 

Hulkenberg became Force India’s reserve driver for 2011, contesting Friday practice sessions before promoted to a race seat the following year.

 

Having then raced for Sauber, Racing Point and Renault, before spending three years as Racing Point and Aston Martin’s reserve driver. Deputizing for Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel. Before a two year stint at Haas, joining previous Bosom Buddy Kevin Magnussen. As the Dane’ famously told Him to suck a part of His lower anatomy once!

 

As Hulkenberg replaced fellow German Mick Schumacher at Has, and then moved to Sauber this year, which will become the Audi Werks’ team for 2026.

 

Hulkenberg won the 2015 24 Heurs du Mans driving for Porsche. Something only He and Fernando Alonso have done as Formula 1 drivers the past decade.

 

Hulkenberg’s podium is the first for Sauber since K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi finished third at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.

 

While it was wonderful reading how truly excited Alonso was for Hulkenberg. While Carlos Sainz Jr said He’d known that Nico has always been a top-five driver. Just never had the equipment to prove it.

 

As I’m guessing that even Magnussen would be happy for Him… 

RETRO: Renault’s Glory Years

Suppose that’s a sad takeoff upon an ‘Ol Bruce, the Boss’s song, Eh?

 

Formula 1 mandated the use of naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engines for the 1989 F1 season, with seven engine manufacturers supplying their wares in various guises.

 

As Ferrari and Lamborghini were the only V-12 producers, while the majority of the field relied upon the Ford Cosworth DFR V-8 unit. Although Benetton who had Ford Cosworth Werks’ status, received the “clean sheet” design HB unit at Circuit Paul Ricard. Judd provided its V-8 lumps in both CV and EV guise. Whilst Zakspeed had a Yamaha v-8, and Honda and Renault opted for the V-10 solution.

 

After a three year hiatus, Renault returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier to Sir Frank’s Team Willy’, aka Williams Grand Prix Engineering. And once again pioneered another first in motor racing. As the Williams FW12C would use the Renault RS1 V-10 that introduced today’s de riggour pneumatic valve spring technology. Which allows valve springs being pushed by compressed air or nitrogen to operate at higher RPM’s without the dreaded valve “float” of traditional wire, coil valve springs past 12,000RPM’s; if I understand this technology somewhat correctly?

 

Although I just heard Bobby Rahal claiming that Toyota were running their IndyCar engines at 18,000-19,000RPM during the latter stage of CART with normal coil valve springs on Unchained with Paul Tracy…

 

Williams had struggled mightily the year prior with the underperforming and “sluggish” FW12 powered by the Judd 3.5-litre CV V-8 normally aspirated lump’. As reportedly, the Judd engine produced 400bhp less than the all conquering Honda 1.5-litre V-6 turbo, that McLaren almost completed a Clean sweep season with in 1988. Ironically, with the exception of Jean-Louis Schlesser tangling with race leader Ayrton Senna at Monza, gifting Ferrari an unexpected 1-2 finish just a month after Enzo Ferrari’s death! With Schlesser deputizing for Nigel Mansell at Williams; as the Brit was suffering from chicken Pox…

 

The FW12C was designed to accommodate the narrower angle, longer Renault V-10, which Riccardo Patrese would qualify second at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix. The Italian driver’s 176th Grand Prix start, tying the record jointly held by Graham Hill and Jacques Laffite. As Patrese would go onto set the Ironman mark at 256 Grands Prix, before being bested by Rubino’, nee rubens Barrichello. For which Honda decided that the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix was Rubino’s 257th start, with Barrichello the first to surpass 300. And so it goes, now that Fernando Alonso has surpassed 400 Grands Prix starts, Aye Karumba!

 

Now It’s a Record!

 

Theirry Boutsen would give Williams Renault its maiden victory at the rain swept Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that summer, the team’s only win of 1989.

 

Initially announcing His retirement at the end of 1990, Sir Frank wooed Nigel Mansell to return to Williams for the 1991 Formula 1 season, after giving Him clear number one status in writing. While Adrian Newy joined Williams from Leyton House March, designing what would become the technological tour de force, the FW14B of 1992. As the B spec model featured active suspension, semi-automatic gearshift, traction control and anti-lock braking.

 

Mansell would dominate the 1992 season with a crushing nine victories and 14 pole positions enroute to that year’s F1 Drivers title! With Williams claiming the first of four F1 constructors Championships with Renault engines; its fifth of nine eventual titles. While le Reggie’s V-10 engines took six Constructors titles on the trot, i.e.; 1992-97.

 

With thee Professor Alain Prost joining Williams for 1993, Mansell made His shock move to IndyCar with Newman Haas Racing, while Prost secured His fourth and final Drivers Crown with Williams Renault that season.

 

We all know that Michael Schumacher effectively turfed off Williams driver Damon Hill for the 1994 title at Adelaide, and then repeated as F1 World champion in ’95, when Benetton had switched to Renault V-10 engines. Before Hill was victorious in 1996, followed by Jacques Villeneuve in ’97, becoming the seventh and final Williams driver to win the championship.

 

Following the ’97 F1 season, Renault quit Formula 1 again, and instead supplied Williams with Mecachrome 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lumps’. Being followed by Supertec V-10 units being supplied to Williams, Arrows and BAR. While Benetton ran the customer badged Playlife V-10 engine for three season; All being based off of the championship winning Renault RS V-10 engine.

 

Renault then bought the Benetton team, which became the Werks’ Renault F1 team between 2001 and 2010. Although running the ’01 season as Benetton…

 

The team’s zenith was Fernando Alonso winning back-to-back F1 Drivers titles in 2005-06. Along with Renault winning both years Constructors championship, led by the imperious HMS Monogram’, aka Flavour Flav’, nee Flavio Briatore. Hmm, why is that name familiar, eh?

 

Although it was also under Briatore’s reign that Renault had its darkest day, simply known as Crashgate! When Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to enable Alonso to win the 2008 Singapore grand Prix!

 

Renault pulled the plug as a Constructor once again, at season’s end of 2010. Seeing dueling Lotus-Lotus F1 Teams on the grid for 2011, i.e.; Team Lotus v Lotus GP. For which the most memorable portion of the Lotus era was thee Kimster’, nee Iceman, aka Kimi Raikkonen famously telling the team to “Just leave Me Alone, I Know What to do!” Over the In-car radio enroute to winning the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

Renault once again returned to Formula 1 as a Werks’ outfit under the Renault Sport banner in 2015. Then being rebranded as Alpine in 2021, and now once again under the tutelage of Briatore…

 

Renault also supplied its 2.4-liter normally aspirated V-8 engines to Scuderia Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. With Red Bull scoring a quadruple “double” between 2010-13.

 

With ‘lil syd Viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel setting many F1 records during this period. Including then setting the record for most wins in a season with 13, which included the record of nine consecutive wins in 2013; both since eclipsed by Max Verstappen’s 2023 season.

 

As Vettel still holds the record for most poles in a season at 15. Along with winning the Drivers title and Red Bull the Constructors title four consecutive years. Before le Reggie’s engine dominance waned, having scored just one single victory during the Power Unit (PU) era. When Esteban Ocon scored a surprise victory for Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.

 

Yet its sad to “See” Renault, who’ve wone twelve F1 constructors and eleven Drivers World Championships with the fourth most wins as an engine manufacturer leave the sport, again… 

RETRO: A Sad Day for French Motorsports

Will le Reggie’ ever return as a Power Unit manufacturer?

 

Strange how the Renault in Motorsport’s website proclaims that Motorsport is written in their History. And that they’ve Always been motivated by the challenge and yearn for something new. Hmm, then how come you’ve given up on producing your own Formula 1 Power Units, especially when the new regulations commence in 2026, merci?

 

Denoting that founder Louis Renault’s first major technological achievement was His direct drive transmission in the Model A voiturette, being the first to climb Montmartre’s Rue Lepic in the fall of 1898.

 

Other early models I’ve never heard of before include the Model K, the first equipped with a Renault engine,  and the 40CV, winner of the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally. Or the modern day Megane RS, which just ended production in 2023.

 

As we all know, the Alpine F1 Team will brazenly become a Mercedes PU customer beginning next season after nearly a half century of racing with Renault engines in the pinnacle of motorsports, nee formula 1. Which I find to simply be blasphemy!

 

Reportedly, Renault has the fourth most Grands Prix victories with 169, with only ford, Mercedes and Ferrari ahead of them. With Ferrari’s next victory being the firm’s momentous 250th Grand Prix win…

 

Ultimately, Renault’s Formula 1 history goes Wayback’ to the 1930’s and Amedee Gordini, who was then tuning engines for Simca, FIAT’s French car assembler. With the Simca-Gordini Type 5 Le Mans contesting the event in 1937, for example. As Gordini would contest Formula 1 with little success between 1950-57, albeit having success in Formula 2.

 

The Simca-Gordini relationship began dissipating in 1951, and by the 1960’s Gordini was tuning engines for Renault, along with entering Renault-Gordini works at Le Mans. Amedee retired in 1968 and sold a majority 70% stake of His company to Renault.

 

Renault-Gordini moved to Viry-Chatillon in 1969, becoming Renault’s Sport division before merging with Alpine in 1976 to become Renault Sport.

 

We know that the first formula 1 turbocharged racecar was the Renault RS01 powered by the Renault Gordini EF1 1.5-litre V-6 engine, but try finding anything substantive upon how we arrived at this point in history?

 

Other than being able to vaguely discern that Alpine was racing in the European Formula 2 Championship for many years, while Gordini was busy building race engines. As the Renault Alpine A442 racecar, propelled by a Renault-Gordini 2.0-litre turbocharged 90 degree V-6 lump’, won the 1978 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

As Alpine had turned its attention towards endurance racing in 1973, and its A441 dominated the 1974 Group 5 European 2.0-liter championship. With the A441 Sports prototype winning seven of seven races and that years manufacturer and driver titles. For which I’d Arse-sume that this was the basis of the future Renault-Gordini EF1 Formula 1 engine…

 

Derisively known as the Yellow Peacock, Renault made its Formula 1 debut at the 1977 British Grand Prix with Jean-Pierre Jabouille as its chauffeur. And like all new technology, suffered many technical issues during its teething period. Before finally scoring its first points at the 1978 USGP at Watkins Glen, finishing fourth.

 

For the 1979 F1 season, Renault added Rene Arnoux as the team’s second driver. As the team began the season with its RS01 chassis, while its Ground Effects RS10 was completed.

 

After Jabouille claimed the first ever pole position for a turbocharged car at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Appropriately, Jabouille claimed the first ever turbocharged victory at the team’s home race at Dijon. As Monsieur “Jelly Belly” started from pole with Arnoux second, with the duo finishing one-three, with Ferrari’s Gilles Villeneuve sandwiched in-between le Reggie’ teammates.

 

Jabouille claimed pole for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, followed by Arnoux scoring His debutante pole the following round at the Osterreichring in Austria. Arnoux claimed pole at Zandvoort and Jabouille took P1 at Monza, seeing Renault score four consecutive pole positions. As Arnoux would finish eighth overall with three podiums vs. Jabouille finishing P13 with two wins.

 

1980 saw Jabouille score two poles; Brazil and South Africa. While Arnoux claimed victory at Brazil and Kyalami. Along with claiming a Hat trick of pole at Austria, Zandvoort and Monza.

 

Jabouille scored His second and final Grand Prix victory that year in Austria, before suffering a nasty crash at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, breaking a leg. As the crash effectively ended His F1 driving career, being replaced by Alain Prost for 1981.

 

The Professor, aka Prost would appropriately win His debutante Grand Prix at Dijon in His sophomore season, eventually scoring more than one fifth of His career wins driving Renault powered racecars. Finished fifth overall with three wins that season.

 

Prost and Arnoux were a front running affair, finishing fourth and sixth overall respectively in 1982. Before Arnoux moved onto “Greener” pastures at la Scuderia, nee Ferrari, partnering countryman Patrick Tambay.

 

Although scoring four wins, Prost missed out on the 1983 F1 World Championship by two points, with rival BMW becoming the first ever turbocharged engine to win a world title with Nelson Piquet. While Prost was fired two days afterwards for supposedly berating Renault over its lack of development upon the RE40, after finishing Vice Champion, Err runner-up.

 

Prost was immediately snapped-up by thee Ronster’, nee Ron Dennis to drive for Mclaren, and the rest was history…

 

For 1984, Renault hired Tambay and Derek Warwick as the team’s two drivers, while Renault provided customer turbo engines for the first time to rival F1 constructors Ligier and Lotus.

 

As le Reggie would go scoreless in the wins column that season. With Lotus’s Elio de Angelis’s pole at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix and Tambay’s pole at the French Grand Prix being Renault’s season’s highlights. As the Mclaren duo of Prost and Niki “The Rat” Lauda ruled the championship with their TAG-Porsch turbos.

 

1985 saw Renault expand to a third customer team, supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell with its engines, in what would be Renaults final season as a F1 Constructor. (During its first foray)

 

This would be Ayrton Senna’s breakout year, having moved to Lotus. Sweeping the season’s second round in Portugal. Claiming His maiden pole, fastest lap and win. As Senna would go on to win again at Spa-Francorchamps and rack up an impressive tally of seven poles. While Italian teammate Elio de Angelis would score victory at Imola, being Renault engine’s only three wins that season.

 

With Renault suffering heavy financial losses, CEO Georges Besse declared they could no longer afford to maintain the commitment to a Formula 1 team. Hmm, sound familiar to just departed Renault CEO Luca de Meo, who consigned the Alpine f1 Team to become a Mercedes PU (Power Unit) customer beginning in 2026, curtailing production of Werks’ PU at Viry-chatillon, Merci!

 

Thus Renault became just an engine supplier one final year in 1986, once again supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell. With Senna once again being the Renault’s highlight reel. Winning the Spanish and Detroit Grands Prix, and capturing a further eight poles, before le Reggie quit formula 1 for the first time… 

F1 the Movie, debuts today

Which surely will be far better than Driven…

 

Although the Brad Pit F1 movie that’s been promoted over the last year plus? Or at least last year during filming at various Grands Prix, with Silverstone and Las Vegas coming to mind. Which thanks to the Daily Mail’s shock headline last November, we sort of know what happens to one of the cast. As the movie is finally released on the Big screen today, nationwide.

 

Just casually thinking about past Formula 1 movies, naturally the epic Grand Prix starring James Gardner immediately comes to mind. While ‘lil Ronnie Howard’s excellent Rush and the equally great Michael Mann Ferrari movies appear on my internal radar. Along with Ford v Ferrari, albeit that was about Le Mans, but all were great movies…

 

Know that a smattering of current day F1 drivers were on hand in New York city for the Radio City Music Hall film debut June 16th. As believe that Esteban Ocon, Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto were there with their significant “others”. While Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris were flying solo. Along with Red Bull Racing Boss Christian Horner and wife Jerry Hall, and McLaren’s Andrea Stella all being chatted up on the red carpet, according to the Daily Mail.

 

Supposedly the film features Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a Formula 1 driver who raced in the 1990’s before a bad crash sidelines Him. Working as an Taxicab driver, a F1 team owner asks Him to come out of retirement to mentor “Noah” Pearce, an F1 prodigy for His “Apex” (APX) Grand Prix team.

 

Hmm, first Matt Damon plays ‘Ol shel’, nee Carroll Shelby in Ford v Ferrari. And Danny Sullivan, who raced one year in formula 1 was a New York Taxi driver previously…

 

Have purposely tried not paying too much Attenzione to this movie, since on the surface the plot sounds somewhat reminiscent of the worst

Racing film ever. Y’all know, Driven Starring Sylvester Stallone as Joe Tanto in Driven. Which I saw on the Big screen at a regal Beagle cinema how many decades ago?

 

Although I was never a fan of Daze ‘O Blunder’, aka Days of Thunder. Starring Tom Cruise, directed by the late Tony Scott and co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

 

Along with Pitt, the film also stars Danson Idris as Joshua “Noah” Pearce. Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna, APX GP Technical Director. Tobias Menzies as Peter Bannin, APX Board Member. Kim Bodnia as Caspar Molinski, team principal. And Javier Barden as Ruben Cervante, team owner, Sonny’s friend and former F1 teammate.

 

The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, and the screenplay was written by Ehren Kruger, along with Kosinski.

 

Hollywood “mogul” Jerry Bruckheimer, who just so happens to be co-owner of the NHL Seattle Kraken, is one of the film’s producers. While other producers include the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt. With an estimated budget of $200-300 million.

 

The movie weighs in at 156 minutes (2Hrs, 36mins) and includes all ten Formula 1 teams and drivers from the 2023 F1 season.

 

The musical score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who previously worked with Kosinski on Top gun, Maverick, along with composing the score for Ron Howard’s Rush.

 

Know that Lewis Hamilton was also involved as a consultant on the film, so I think it should be a good film overall. As I didn’t “read” the article about Hamilton being nervous over how His fellow Formula 1 drivers would receive the film, which I think they saw at a private screening in Monaco.

 

Although I didn’t “See” Top gun, Maverick, I know it was All the rage and a certified Box Offic Hit!

 

And as long as the movie stays away from the gimmickry of Joe Tanto piling up four quarters on the exact same spot on His front tyre as the opening sequence! And we just enjoy the movie for its entertainment value, and don’t critique its Hollywood theatrics, then it should be a good ride… 

Cornholed, Again!

And He misses the Pile…

 

Yeah, know Y’all are saying where’s my riveting Canadian GP or Gateway IndyCar race reports eh? But Yuhs know how I roll here in Nofendersville…

 

Once again, I got Cornholed! Just over a fortnight ago, (Sunday, June 1st) when chaos was breaking out in Barcelona, ci!

 

Supposedly ESPNews was replaying the Spanish GP at 2:30PM. (Pacific) As I long ago stopped getting up at Oh Dark 30 for Formula 1, Ole!

 

I turned Thy Telie’ on early, since I often aim the remote the wrong way and have to play the turn the cable box on game, being Blind Y’all…

 

Yep, Thar was some riveting Cornhole game being played, which I must say is like my trying to watch a Darts match, with the bean bags going womp-womp-womp! Followed by what sounded like somebody calling a High School tennis game TV announcers noise.

 

Without knowing the time, 2:30PM came ‘n went, and when I finally checked the time since this riveting Cornhole match was now onto another game, it was 2:43PM. And in the words of George Crybaby’ Russell, What The Flock? Language George, the FIA doesn’t like cuss words, Tsk-Tsk!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/04/welcome-to-formula-ones-pariah-club.html

 

Hmm, may be the F1 replay won’t start until 3:00PM? Since the Emilia Romagna rebroadcast had a similar problema, with some college sports program running 20mins extra before somebody apparently woke up and began the F1 replay. Which I “watched” an hour of the Max parade before going to bed…

 

Checking my Zap-2-It TV guide again for the umpteenth time. Since it was past 3PM and Cornhole was still going strong, with the scintillating score being 8-6, Urgh! It said that ESPNews was also replaying the Spanish GP at 7PM. And even though I’d accidently heard who the winner was, Sigh! I thought I’d watch it anyways, since this is the only reason I keep my outlandishly overpriced Spectrum Cable TV service. Now that Fox Sports has taken over MotoGP and doesn’t replay it until the middle of the night, but I digress…

 

Nope, Stee-rike Two! As there was some riveting womens college baseball game going on, in the middle of the fifth inning involving Arkansas I believe, Swell! So I just went and “watched” Err listened to the Youtube Highlights “package” instead. Since I’d waisted far too mucho time trying to catch the Gory F1 replay!

 

Guessing y’all know what happened in the closing stages of the Spanish GP race highlights, ci?

 

But once again, I missed All of the Fireworks surrounding who I’m now calling Max Blunderhead! Being just one more blatant example of why I don’t like Maximus Hothead! And I totally agree with 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg’s assessment that Verstappen should have been given a black flag for purposely ramming Russell! As a ten second time penalty doesn’t send a severe enough message to a driver well known for His outrageous, and dangerous driving antics…

 

Have scribbled previously that I’ve never disputed Verstappen’s driving talent. It’s just His unrealistic behaviour of a toddler throwing His bottle out of the pram whenever He doesn’t get His way on-track that rankles me!

 

As His petulant spearing of Russell after having been told by His race engineer to give George the place back seems reminiscent of Senna deliberately crashing Prost at Suzuka! Or Michael Schumacher squeezing Rubino’, nee Rubens Barrichello into the wall at some 180mph at the Hungaroring in 2010! Where the German received a ten place grid penalty for the next race at thee Mighty Spa’; Spa-Francorchamps for His reckless, Err Ruthless driving behaviour.

 

Which like I’ve said before, Senna and Schumacher are the two closest drivers Max Blunderhead seems to emulate on-track, meaning I should be a fan of His…

 

And how can you not enjoy Max’s off track candidness? Saying that Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda is not a pancake! In regards to the Japanese driver completely struggling with the diabolical RB21 chassis, for which Liam Lawson was demoted from, and arguably should have never been so hastily promoted to the Big Bullx’ outfit after only eleven Grands Prix experience…

 

Or Max saying He’ll bring some tissues next time after Russell’s remarks regarding His driving antics.

 

Yet Maximus Hothead’s temper tantrum is inexcusable, and once again Red Bull is doing nothing about it! Since what would be the draconian punishment to Tsunoda, Lawson or the other ‘lil Bullz’ (Racing Bulls) rookie driver Isack Hadjar for disobeying a direct order from the race team?

 

Max needs to be sat down for one Grand Prix if the sport really wishes to set the proper example for not tolerating such egregious driving behaviour! Where the Austrian Grand Prix minus Verstappen would definitely send a message! Or at the very least, a ten grid place penalty at Montreal.

 

Thus, I found Thyself hoping Maxwell silver Hammer would pick up one more needed penalty point at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to enforce a one race ban at Spielberg. Although knowing Maxwell Silver Hammer’s to shrewd for that…

 

Yet it serves Max right that He won’t secure a fifth consecutive F1 world championship this year, since He doesn’t deserve it!

 

Meanwhile, thanks to F1 being on the eastern seaboard, and Indy being a night race. I actually got to “watch”, Err listen to most of the Canadian Grand Prix live on Thy Telie’, i.e.; both Friday practice sessions, Qualie and the race.

Apparently the word Lando Norris was using over the weekend on Il Notre Dam was inevitable. Which surely, I should have expected it would be inevitable for Max Blunderhead and George F-bombs R Us Russell to be on the front row together again for Sunday’s race.

 

Max was very “Cool” in the post qualifying interview with Jack Vanilla, aka Jacques Villeneuve. Replying He always wants to be on pole…

 

Then Russell was a Cheeky Bugger! And  I’m 86% certain the crowd Booed Him when He said He’s got a few more points on His license to play with. For which all I could say was Youch!

 

Or as ‘lil Davey Malukas used to say during the Team Penske Bus Bros dazes’, shots fired!

 

And then during Martin BillyBob’ Brundle’s legendous’ Grid Walk, Brundle cheekily told Carlos Sainz Jr. I promise you Carlos, your not late as He went scurrying by, Youza, good one Martin!

 

Yet the race was anti-climatic at the front with Russell leading wire-to-wire from pole, with Max second and Kimi Antonelli scoring His maiden podium.

 

While all of the fireworks occurred on lap 67 of 70 when Norris made an ill-advised overtaking attempt upon McLaren teammate, and F1 championship points leader Oscar Piastri. With Norris shunting and Piastri finishing fourth after a cautionary pitstop to change tyres, at least that’s what I thought I heard the Sky sports Pundits say? With the race finishing under caution…