Team Enstone

Last updated

Team Enstone
Formula One World Championship career
Constructors'
Championships 		3 (1995, 2005, 2006)
Drivers'
Championships 		4 (1994, 1995, 2005, 2006)

"Team Enstone" is the colloquial name for a British Formula One team which has competed under various different identities and been owned by various companies during its history; its name comes from the village of Enstone in Oxfordshire, where it has been based since late-1991, having previously operated out of Witney. [1] [2] [3] The team's factory is called the Whiteways Technical Centre, [4] and is one of several Formula One team bases located in relatively close proximity to the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. [5] As of the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, [6] forty-five drivers have competed for the five different constructors in the lineage in 763 Grands Prix, winning fifty of them. [1] [7] The outfit has been noted for its frequent changes of identity. [1] [8] The organisation won the Formula One World Constructors' Championship as Benetton Formula in 1995 and as Renault F1 Team in 2005 and 2006. [9] Although the organisation has changed names several times, it has legally remained the same company since the 1980s. [10] [11]

Contents

Team Enstone factory in 2015 Lotus-Enstone-1.jpg
Team Enstone factory in 2015

The original constructor in the lineage was Toleman, which competed in other categories of motor racing during the 1970s, initially operating out of a workshop in Kidlington and moving into the Witney factory ahead of the 1980 European Formula Two Championship, [12] before entering Formula One starting from the 1981 Formula One World Championship. [13] Toleman was sponsored by the Benetton Group fashion brand before being purchased by the company ahead of the 1986 Formula One World Championship; the organisation was rebranded into a new constructor called Benetton Formula. [14] Although officially a different constructor, Benetton was still effectively the same team as Toleman. [15] The purchase took place in the first half of 1985, leading the team's staff to consider that season to be the first season of the Benetton era even if the record books still name them as Toleman during that year. [16] The Benetton Group being Italian was perceived as easing Toleman in securing a tyre supply from Pirelli, and it was considered important to find a buyer that would retain the design team led by Rory Byrne. [17] Benetton initially continued to race under a British licence, before switching to an Italian licence for the 1996 Formula One World Championship. [18] [19]

French car-maker Renault purchased the outfit in March 2000 and renamed it to the Renault F1 Team for the 2002 Formula One World Championship. [14] [20] Renault sold a seventy-five percent stake in the organisation to Genii Capital ahead of the 2010 Formula One World Championship, [21] before selling the remaining twenty-five percent to Genii a year later, with Lotus Cars becoming the Renault team's title sponsor for the 2011 Formula One World Championship. [22] [23] While the team switched from a French to a British licence, they continued to officially compete as Renault in 2011. [24] From the 2012 Formula One World Championship the team represented a new constructor called Lotus F1, whose cars chassis designations contained an "E" which stood for "Enstone". [22] [25] Renault repurchased the team from Genii at the end of the 2015 Formula One World Championship, and the Renault F1 Team name returned for the 2016 Formula One World Championship. [26] For the 2021 Formula One World Championship, Renault renamed the team after their subsidiary marque Automobiles Alpine to the Alpine F1 Team. [27]

Formula One constructors lineage

Notes

  1. ↑ Renault had previously competed in Formula One from the 1977 season to the 1985 season with a team based in Viry-Châtillon, France. [13] [29]
  2. ↑ Not to be confused with Team Lotus, Pacific Team Lotus, or Team Lotus (2010–2011), which were largely unrelated organisations. [22] [30] [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault in Formula One</span> Formula One activities of Renault

Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods since 1977. In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One with its EF1 engine. In 1983, Renault began supplying engines to other teams. Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985. Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benetton Formula</span> Former motor racing team

Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001. The team was owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores of the same name. In 2000, the team was purchased by Renault, but competed as Benetton for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2002, the team became Renault. The Benetton Formula team was chaired by Alessandro Benetton from 1988 to 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 Belgian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1993 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Spa-Francorchamps on 29 August 1993. It was the twelfth race of the 1993 Formula One World Championship.

Toleman Motorsport was a Formula One constructor based in the UK. It was active between 1981 and 1985 and participated in 70 Grands Prix.

Renault Sport or Renaultsport, was a motorsport, performance and special vehicles division for Renault-badged cars and later a sub-badge of Renault cars managed by Alpine. The first Renault Sport was officially established as a company in 1976 as a merger between the Alpine and Gordini competition departments. It was made a division and reorganised in 2002 and 2016. In December 2021, all Renault Sport operations were merged into an Alpine-led business unit. The Renault Sport car range under Alpine was completely phased out by the end of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team Lotus</span> British motor racing team

Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport categories including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar, and sports car racing. More than ten years after its last race, Team Lotus remained one of the most successful racing teams of all time, winning seven Formula One Constructors' titles, six Drivers' Championships, and the Indianapolis 500 in the United States between 1962 and 1978. Under the direction of founder and chief designer Colin Chapman, Lotus was responsible for many innovative and experimental developments in critical motorsport, in both technical and commercial arenas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enstone</span> Village and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England

Enstone is a village and civil parish in England, about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Chipping Norton and 15 miles (24 km) north-west of Oxford city. The civil parish, one of Oxfordshire's largest, consists of the villages of Church Enstone and Neat Enstone, with the hamlets of Chalford, Cleveley, Fulwell, Gagingwell, Lidstone and Radford. The 2011 Census put the parish population as 1,139 living in 453 households. It was estimated at 1,256 in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Bell (motorsport)</span> British Formula One technical director (born 1958)

Robert Charles Bell is a Formula One engineer and technical director, best known for his work with the Renault Formula One team. He is currently the Executive Director - Technical for the Aston Martin F1 Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benetton B195</span> Formula One racing car

The Benetton B195 is a Formula One racing car designed by Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn for use by the Benetton team in the 1995 Formula One World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 South African Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1981 South African Grand Prix was a Formula Libre motor race held on 7 February 1981 at Kyalami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus F1</span> Former Formula 1 team

Lotus F1 Team was a British Formula One racing team. The team competed under the Lotus name from 2012 until 2015, following the renaming of the former Renault team based at Enstone in Oxfordshire. The Lotus F1 Team was majority owned by Genii Capital. Lotus F1 was named after its branding partner Group Lotus. The team achieved a race victory and fourth position in the Formula One Constructors' World Championship in their first season under the Lotus title. Lotus F1 achieved 2 race victories in their time on the grid, both courtesy of Kimi Räikkönen. The team was sold back to Renault on 18 December 2015. The Lotus F1 Team name was officially dropped on 3 February 2016, as Renault announced that the team would compete as Renault Sport Formula One Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Fry</span> British motorsports engineer (born 1964)

Pat Fry is a British motorsports engineer. Primarily working in Formula One, he has previously held positions with the Benetton, McLaren, Ferrari, Manor Racing, and Renault/Alpine teams. As of 2023, Fry is the chief technical officer for Williams Grand Prix Engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Éric Boullier</span> French engineer and manager

Éric René Boullier is a French motor racing engineer and manager. He was the racing director of the McLaren F1 Team from 2014 to 2018. During the 2010 to 2013 seasons, he was the team principal of Lotus F1, and was vice chairman of Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) until it was disbanded after six years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus E23 Hybrid</span> Formula One racing car

The Lotus E23 Hybrid is a Formula One racing car which Lotus used to compete in the 2015 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Nick Chester, Chris Cooney, Martin Tolliday and Nicolas Hennel with Mercedes supplying the team's powertrain. It was driven by Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. This was the team's only car to use Mercedes engines, after a 20-year period of racing with Renault based powerplants. The E23 Hybrid was also the first Enstone-based car not to used a Renault-based engine since the Ford-powered V8 powered Benetton B194 in 1994, as well as first full British team to utilize Petronas fuel and lubricants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault R.S.16</span> Formula One racing automobile developed by Renault for 2016 F1 season

The Renault R.S.16 was a Formula One racing car designed by the Renault Sport Formula One Team to compete in the 2016 Formula One season, and marked Renault's return to the sport as a constructor after a five-year absence. The Renault R.S.16 was also the first Renault-badged turbocharged car to compete in the sport since Renault RE60 in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Hungarian Grand Prix</span> Eleventh round of the 2021 Formula One season

The 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 1 August 2021 at the Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Hungary. It was the eleventh round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship. The race was won by Esteban Ocon for Alpine-Renault. The win was Ocon's first in Formula One, the first win for the Enstone-based team since the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, and the first win for a Renault-badged engine since the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, with Hamilton and Carlos Sainz Jr. completing the podium after Sebastian Vettel was disqualified from second. Pierre Gasly earned the fastest lap, while Williams scored their first double points finish since the 2018 Italian Grand Prix and their first points of any kind since the 2019 German Grand Prix.

Nick Chester is a motorsport engineer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine F1 Team</span> French-owned Formula One racing team

Alpine F1 Team, or currently BWT Alpine F1 Team for sponsorship reasons, is the name under which the Enstone-based Formula One team has been competing since the start of the 2021 Formula One World Championship. Formerly named Renault F1 Team and owned by the French automotive company Groupe Renault as well as Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, the team was rebranded for 2021 to promote Renault's sports car brand, Alpine, and continues to serve as Renault's works team. The chassis and managerial side of the team is based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, England, and the Renault-branded engine side of the team is based in Viry-Châtillon, a suburb of Paris, France. The team competes with a French licence.

Alan Permane is a British Formula One engineer. He is the former sporting director at the Alpine Formula One team.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Straw, Edd (21 August 2021). "Every 'Team Enstone' F1 driver ranked". The Race. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. ↑ Newbold, James (23 April 2021). "The hidden hero behind Alonso's Enstone F1 glory years". Autosport . Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. ↑ Smith, Damien (25 March 2021). "Formula One team guide 2021". Autocar . Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  4. ↑ Weaver, Paul (8 February 2016). "Jolyon Palmer: 'F1 teams don't just take you for your name'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Barretto, Lawrence (26 June 2013). "Britain's Motorsport Valley – the home of Formula 1". BBC Sport . Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  6. ↑ "Alpine" . Forix. Autosport. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  7. ↑ Kelly, Sean (1 August 2021). "Hungarian GP Facts & Stats: Ocon secures first French triple since Prost – and there's a new record for Alonso". Formula One website. Liberty Media. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  8. ↑ Parkes, Ian (2 February 2016). "Analysis: 'Special' Enstone gets its reward with Renault F1 era". Autosport . Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  9. ↑ Smith, Damien (1 March 2023). "'Back to old Benetton' — can Alpine avoid mediocre history repeating?". Motor Sport magazine . Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "Alpine Racing Limited company number 01806337". Companies House. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021. If someone with a better knowledge of these things could look into the Inremco 60 situation that would be much appreciated.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  11. ↑ "Special resolution of Toleman Group Motorsport Limited". Companies House. 29 January 1986. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021. This document states that the legal name of the company was "Toleman Group Motorsport Limited" and not "Inremco 60 Limited" immediately before it changed its name to "Benetton Formula Limited".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ↑ Codling, Stuart (16 May 2022). "The underdog F1 squad that thrust Senna into the limelight" . Autosport . Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  13. 1 2 Rencken, Dieter (10 March 2021). "How Alpine is defying Formula 1 tradition in its pursuit of success". Race Fans. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  14. 1 2 Diepraam, Mattijs (12 March 2010). "Identity changes in Grand Prix racing". 8W (Forix). Autosport. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  15. ↑ Jenkinson, Denis (March 1986). "The Formula One Scene". Motor Sport magazine . Vol. 62, no. 3. p. 252.
  16. ↑ Smith, Damien (30 September 2023). "Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers" . Autosport . Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  17. ↑ Smith, Damien (2 October 2023). "The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team" . Autosport . Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "Will Benetton's nationalism cause problems?". GrandPrix.com. 1 January 1996. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  19. ↑ "Benetton to race under Italian colours". New Straits Times. 29 November 1995. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  20. ↑ Fahquar, Gordon (16 March 2000). "Renault return after Benetton deal". BBC News . Archived from the original on 29 July 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  21. ↑ Benson, Andrew (16 December 2009). "Renault will stay in Formula 1 despite selling its team". BBC Sport . Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 Smith, Damien (22 September 2021). "The floundering fortunes of F1's many Lotus reboots" . Autosport . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "Renault F1 team to be renamed Lotus Renault GP in 2011". BBC Sport . 8 December 2010. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  24. ↑ Noble, Jonathan (13 January 2011). "Renault to switch to British licence". Autosport . Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  25. ↑ Elizalde, Pablo (27 January 2012). "Lotus names 2012 F1 challenger". Autosport . Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  26. ↑ Parkes, Ian (3 December 2015). "Renault confirms works Formula 1 return with Lotus takeover". Autosport . Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  27. ↑ Balfour, Andrew (1 May 2021). "Team Enstone: tracing the roots of the Alpine F1 team". F1 Experiences. Liberty Media. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  28. ↑ Muelas, Félix; Diepraam, Mattijs (3 March 2021). "World Championship constructor history - Toleman/Benetton". 6th Gear (Forix). Autosport. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  29. ↑ Smith, Roy (15 November 2008). Alpine & Renault: The Development of the Revolutionary Turbo F1 Car 1968-1979. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN   978-1-8458-4177-5. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2019– via Google Books.
  30. ↑ Dodgins, Tony (14 November 2020). "2020 Turkish Grand Prix qualifying: Stroll skates to pole in Istanbul". Motor Sport magazine . Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  31. ↑ Kravitz, Ted (27 May 2011). "High Court rules Team Lotus can keep its name". BBC Sport . Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.