La Formule Renault est une catégorie de voiture de course de type monoplace. Il s'agit d'une discipline d'accès au sport automobile, puisqu'on y retrouve de nombreux pilotes directement issus du karting. La Formule Renault a repris, en 1971, les réglementations sportive et technique de la Formule France, créées en 1968 par la Fédération française du sport automobile (FFSA). Par Formule Renault, on désigne généralement la Formule Renault 2.0 à partir de 2005, qui se décline en de nombreux championnats nationaux, ainsi qu'en un championnat européen appelé Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, que disputent en parallèle des divers championnats nationaux. La Formule Renault 2 litres ne doit pas être confondue avec la Formule Renault 3,5 litres, discipline reine des World Series by Renault (par abus de langage, World Series by Renault est d'ailleurs souvent synonyme de Formula Renault 3.5 Series). Véritable antichambre de la Formule 1, la Formule Renault a ouvert la porte de cette compétition à de nombreux pilotes et on peut citer Jacques Laffitte, Patrick Tambay, René Arnoux, Alain Prost, Olivier Panis, Pedro de la Rosa, François Hesnault, Christian Danner, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kimi Räikkönen, Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton, Kamui Kobayashi, Jean-Éric Vergne ainsi que Romain Grosjean.

Formula Renault is a class of formula racing founded in 1971, popular in Europe and elsewhere. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to Formula Three, World Series by Renault, GP2 or Formula One. Formula Renault 2.0 race at Silverstone in 2008 Renault now backs several one-make single-seater series: Formula Renault 1.6, Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Renault 3.5. At the end of each racing season, Renault Sport gives an opportunity to the best Formula Renault 2.0 drivers to try the 3.5L car at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Formula Renault 2.0 descends from Formula France created in 1968. Its predecessors used 1.3L (1968–1971), 1.6l (1972–1981), 1.6L turbo (1982–1988) and later 1,721 cc (1989–1994), then 2l 8V (1995–1999) engines in single-seater chassis. The series evolved in 2000 into a 2L 16V series using one-make cars from Italian manufacturer Tatuus. The series was introduced into the UK in 1989 and even after the 1721 cc cars had been replaced at the top level a club-level series for them continued in parallel with the more ambitious 2.0 series. This is seen as one of the key steps in a driver's career before Formula Three.

The most notable recent graduate of the formula is Kimi Räikkönen, who moved straight into Formula One after winning the British Formula Renault championship. The cars "Renault Sport type F4R FRS" engine

The cars are open-wheelers, with Tatuus-made chassis running 2.0 L Renault Clio engines attached to a Sadev gearbox. They are capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) in 4.85 seconds and braking from 125 mph (200 km/h) to a stop in 4.60 seconds. The Tatuus Formula Renault car is the most successful single seater ever, with 10 years of service and nearly 1000 sold. The car has produced many current Formula One stars, with 11 of the 25 drivers in the 2009 Formula One season using the car in the infancy of their careers.

For the 2010 season, a new car developed by Barazi-Epsilon, will be used in most major championships, with the old car still being used in minor championships such as Formula Renault BARC in the UK.

   Dimensions and weight

   Wheel Base: 2,645 mm
   Front Track: 1,434 mm
   Rear Track: 1,318 mm
   Minimum Weight: 490 kg without driver / 565 kg with driver

   Chassis

The chassis is a carbon fiber cell designed and developed by Tatuus and Renault Sport. It also incorporates a FIA-approved roll hoop and lateral driver's head protection. This was introduced in 2000 and updated with new bodywork in 2004 and 2007. Both the chassis and engine are of an FIA-approved "impact break-away" design.

   Cockpit Interior

   XAP Multi-Changeable Dashboard Display
   FIA-approved Safety Features
   Roll Hoop and Lateral Driver's Head Protective Padding
   Deformable, double-jointed steering column
   Removable steering wheel
   Six-point, 3-inch driver's shoulder and lap harnesses
   FT3 fuel cell
   Manually operated 5 kg fire extinguisher

   Engine

The engine is a sealed, 16-valve, 4-cylinder Renault Sport type F4R FRS with Orbisoud race exhaust system and catalytic converter, built and developed by Renault Sport.

   Capacity: 1998 cc
   Max Output: 192 bhp (143 kW) at 6,500 rpm
   Max Torque: 22mkg (159lb.ft) at 5,500 rpm
   Lubrication: Dry Sump, Elf Evolution LDX 5w/40
   Spark Plugs: NGK PFR6E10
   ECU: Sealed Magneti-Marelli MF4L ignition system

   Gearbox

Formula Renault uses a Sadev 6-speed, sequential gearbox with mechanical control featuring three specified sets of ratios using a Limited Slip Differential and Twin-Plate. The clutch is hydraulic. It also uses Elf Transmission LS.

   Suspension

   Front: Pushrod, controlled single damper with adjustable bump and rebound
   Rear: Pushrod, controlled twin dampers with adjustable bump and rebound

   Brake

The brakes are four-pot calipers, with ventilated discs and Ferodo(type DS4003) pads. They include cockpit-adjustable bias front-to-rear.

   Tyres

   Front: 16/53 x 13 inches (330 mm)
   Rear: 23/57 x 13 inches (330 mm)
   Manufacturer: Michelin control
   Exceptions
   Asia: Kumho (since 2002)
   Brazil: Pirelli (2002–2006)
   North America: Yokohama (since 2004)

   Wheels

   Front: 8 inches x 13 inches (330 mm)
   Rear: 10 inches x 13 inches (330 mm)