Renault had some involvement in early motorsport, including Ferenc Szisz winning the first French Grand Prix. However, it was not until 1977 that the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One in their first car, the Renault RS01. Although the Renault team won races and competed for world titles, it withdrew at the end of 1985.
Renault returned to Formula One as a team in 2002 when it completed its takeover and rebranding of the UK-based team previously known as Benetton (and before that, Toleman). Under the Renault F1 Team guise the team won the Drivers' and Constructors' championships in 2005 and 2006.
Renault F1 Engine
Renault has also supplied engines to other teams, including Team Lotus (1980s), Benetton and Williams teams in the 1990s. As an engine supplier, Renault has contributed to six driver's world championships (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2010) and seven constructor's world championships (1992–1997 and 2010) as engine supplier for Benetton, Williams and Red Bull. The engine supply has continued during periods when Renault was not active as a constructor in its own right.