Renault R202
Category | Formula One | ||||||||
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Constructor | Renault | ||||||||
Designer(s) | Mike Gascoyne | ||||||||
Predecessor | Benetton B201 | ||||||||
Successor | R23 | ||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||
Chassis | Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque | ||||||||
Suspension (front) | Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard titanium rocker via a pushrod system | ||||||||
Suspension (rear) | Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard titanium rocker via a pushrod system | ||||||||
Engine | Renault R202, Mid-mounted 3.0 litre V10 (111°) | ||||||||
Transmission | Titanium longitudinal, 6 speed + 1 reverse | ||||||||
Fuel | Elf | ||||||||
Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||
Notable entrants | Mild Seven Renault F1 | ||||||||
Notable drivers | 14. Jarno Trulli 15. Jenson Button | ||||||||
Debut | 2002 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||
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Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
The Renault R202 is a Formula One car that competed in the 2002 Formula One season. The car was driven by Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button.
Renault returned to F1 as a team after an absence of over 15 years. When Renault first entered F1, the one part of the car that stood out was the engine; Renault pioneered turbo engines in F1. In 2002 the engine was special again; with a V angle of about 111 degrees, it was over 20 degrees wider than the competitors' engines. This wider V angle resulted in a lower centre of gravity, improving the car's handling. The wide-angle engine had been introduced the previous season in the Benetton B201, and a season of development had ironed out the teething problems its predecessor had suffered from.
The team finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship with 23 points, an impressive result for the team's first season and paving the way for their future success.