Revisiting Manual Transmissions: The Return of the Renault RS1

The Renault RS1 engine, reintroduced to Formula 1 in 1989, marked a unique blend of traditional and modern technology. Initially, Renault's engineers opted for a timing belt in the RS1 for advantages in development time and weight. This choice, however, would prove to be strategic, contributing to the engine's success.

The use of a timing belt, common in production vehicles, was considered outdated in the pinnacle of motorsports. Despite this, the RS1 engine's reliance on a timing belt allowed for a lightweight and easy-to-install design. This was particularly beneficial during the development phase.

However, as the demands on durability and control precision rose, a switch from the timing belt to a complex gear drive occurred in the RS1 engine just a year later. This change was necessitated by the slight variation in timing caused by a timing belt, a disadvantage in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 where every millisecond counts.

The RS1 engine, despite using conservative technology, celebrated notable successes in the 1989 season. Williams Racing, the team that competed with the RS1, finished second in the Constructors' Championship, and the engine impressed with its responsiveness and performance, as seen in the Williams FW12C.

The Renault RS1 can be seen as the last engine in Formula 1 history to use a timing belt. Although timing belts continue to be used in millions of production cars, the top level of motorsport has definitively moved on from them. Today, every Formula 1 power unit is characterised by uncompromising precision technology.

The decision to use a timing belt in the Renault RS1 was strategic and contributed to its return to the top of Formula 1. The engine, on the one hand, operated precisely, positively, and with low wear. However, it was heavier, more complex to manufacture, and challenging to package compared to gears, which are more common in high-performance racing engines.

In conclusion, the Renault RS1 engine, with its unique combination of traditional and modern technology, played a significant role in Formula 1's history. Its strategic use of a timing belt allowed for initial advantages in development time and weight, and although it was eventually replaced by a more precise gear drive, the RS1's impact on the sport remains evident in its notable successes in the 1989 season.

Revisiting Manual Transmissions: The Return of the Renault RS1