While the Renault team began the 1983 season with the old RE30, modified only by the adoption of the flat bottom as required by the new regulations, a small technical revolution took place within the team. Bernard Dudot, previously responsible for engine development in Formula 1, was appointed head of Renault Sport's technical department, replacing François Castaing. He led a new working group that included the new head of aerodynamics, Jean-Claude Migeot (replacing Marcel Hubert), and designer Michel Tétu. These three engineers completed what was, up to that point, Renault's most significant financial and design effort for a Formula 1 car: the Renault RE40. With this car, the French team went all-in—both technically and financially, in an attempt to finally win the world championship that had narrowly eluded them in recent seasons.
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| RANAULT RE40, Eddie Cheever Silverstone, British GP 1983 |
The RE40 was a completely new and highly innovative car, also due to the drastic rule changes that required flat bottoms and banned ground effect. For the first time in Renault's history, the chassis was a carbon-fiber monocoque, built by Hurel-Dubois, a company specialized in synthetic fiber technology thanks to its background in the aerospace industry. The suspension featured a pull-rod design, the wheelbase was 2730 mm, and the weight was just 540 kg, a record for turbocharged single-seaters. Thanks to further development, the French turbo V6 engine now delivered 650 hp during races, with peaks of 880 hp in qualifying laps.
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| RENAULT RE40, Eddie Cheever Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1983 |
French driver Alain Prost became the undisputed team leader after Arnoux's departure, and Italian-American Eddie Cheever was hired as a clear number two and Prost’s support. Despite the RE40 achieving 4 wins, 3 second places, 4 thirds, 3 pole positions, and several other finishes in the 1983 season, the French team once again fell just short of glory. Nelson Piquet beat Prost by just two points, overtaking him in the standings at the very last race, despite Prost having led the championship for most of the season.
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| RENAULT RE40, Alain Prost Paul-Ricard, French GP 1983 |
The umpteenth defeat, both in the drivers' and constructors' championships, the latter won by Ferrari with 89 points to Renault’s 79, led Renault's management to change strategy. They began focusing on engine supply, a choice that paved the way for Renault’s first major successes in Formula 1 a few years later, notably through a return to naturally aspirated engines and a partnership with Williams.
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| RENAULT RE40, Alain Prost Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1983 |
Renault continued as a constructor for two more seasons, but with scaled-back ambitions and budget. Prost’s win at the 1983 Austrian Grand Prix remained the last victory for the French marque in its first stint in Formula 1.
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