For the first four races of the 1981 World Championship, Equipe Renault Elf used updated versions of the previous season’s cars. The updates aligned with new regulations that banned sliding side skirts and required a deformable structure in front of the pedals to protect the driver’s legs. The Turbo EF1 engine on the RE20B was also upgraded, reaching 540 horsepower to compensate for the car’s weight, 615 kg, significantly heavier than the naturally aspirated cars, which were well below 600 kg.
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| RENAULT RE30, Alain Prost Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1981 |
The team’s two French drivers, Alain Prost and René Arnoux, found little success with the RE20B, scoring only a third and a fifth place, both in Argentina. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Renault introduced the new RE30, designed by technical director Bernard Dudot, chief designer Michel Tétu, and aerodynamic engineer Marcel Hubert. Though an evolution of the RE20, the RE30 had a completely new design and cutting-edge construction techniques. Its chassis featured aluminum honeycomb panels reinforced with carbon fiber inserts in high-stress areas. Most notably, the RE30 introduced Renault’s advanced ride height control system, which had become widespread in Formula 1. Compared to its predecessor, the RE30’s weight was reduced to nearly 600 kg, improving cornering ability and making it gentler on Michelin radial tires. The wheelbase was also shortened to 2730 mm, enhancing responsiveness.
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| RENAULT RE30, René Arnoux Silverstone, British GP 1981 |
For its debut at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder, only Arnoux drove the RE30, but he failed to qualify. Prost took the wheel at the next race but retired, making the new car initially seem like a step backward compared to the improving 1980 model. However, everything changed at the French Grand Prix at Dijon-Prenois, the same track where Renault had achieved its first-ever Formula 1 victory in 1979. After extensive fine-tuning, the RE30 became fast and competitive. Arnoux took pole position and finished fourth, while Prost started from the second row and claimed the first victory of his career, the first of 51.
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| RENAULT RE30, Alain Prost Dijon-Prenois, French GP 1981 |
From that point onward, the RE30 became the car to beat, particularly in qualifying, where it consistently placed among the front-runners. Unfortunately for Renault, by the time the car was fully developed, it was too late to fight for the title. Despite being the strongest performer in the final eight races, Prost only managed to finish fifth in the championship, just seven points behind title winner Nelson Piquet in the Brabham-Ford.
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| RENAULT RE30, René Arnoux Las Vegas, Caesars Palace GP 1981 |
Overall, Renault had an excellent season with three wins, three second places, one third place, and six pole positions. The team established itself as the third force in the championship, finishing with 54 points, placing ahead of legendary teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Lotus.
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