”In ten years, more than 5.6 million spectators have come out and half of them have discovered motor racing thanks to the World Series by Renault : this public success allows for an incredible proximity with the customers”, says a delighted Patrice Ratti. ” In sporting terms, the result is excellent with the promotion of Carlos Sainz, Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi to F1 ! We have now promoted 21 drivers to the pinnacle of the sport and more than 60% of the drivers on the Grand Prix grid competed in Formula Renault.”

Implementing the expertise and professionalism of Renault Sport Technologies, Formula Renault enters its 45th season this this year. Renault Ambassador and four-time F1 World Champion, Alain Prost spoke about the vital importance this driver development programme during his career, as did Jacques Laffite, Olivier Panis and Franck Lagorce, also on hand.

”To reach such an anniversary is terrific for Formula Renault”, recalls Alain Prost. “I have very fond memories dating back to the days of the Elf driver development programme with this very precise message at the start of the year : if you win the championship, you will have a budget for the following season. You had to win ! It is a true school of life. Personally, it was a fantastic year with 12 victories in 13 races. I was very disappointed not to have made it a clean sweep at the final race.”

”Without Renault and Elf who made major investments for the young drivers, I wouldn’t have gotten my start”, added Jacques Laffite. “I can never thank them enough for what they did to help us progress, have great careers and win Grands Prix.”

”We also participate to bring motor racing to as many people as possible”, recalls as well Patrice Ratti. “Last year, at our seven meetings, we had an attendance of 460,000 spectators, in which half of whom were introduced to motor racing for the first time. This makes the World Series by Renault the second largest automobile event in Europe behind Formula 1.”

A speech supported by Jérôme Stoll, Executive Vice President for Performance, Commercial Director and President of Renault Sport F1, and Bruno Ancelin, Director of Product and Programmes of the Renault Group.

“The World Series by Renault is very important for the brand. Throughout its history, Renault has demonstrated its involvement in motorsport, and our meetings are now part of Renault’s 115 years of sport and the automobile. It is a competition event, but also consists of meetings revolving around the automobile”, affirmed Jérôme Stoll.

“In ten years, the development of the World Series by Renault has also contributed to the expansion of the brand’s range of sports cars, found at all the meetings. This supports Renault’s long-term commitment to these events. We can therefore expect that everything will be more beautiful and stronger in ten years !” added Bruno Ancelin.

Alongside Jean Todt, FIA President, Jérôme Stoll announced the support of the World Series by Renault to the FIA Action for Road Safety programme, directly in line with the educational workshops to raise road safety awareness put in place at the events, but also for the safety of competitors with important security standards.

“It is refreshing to see a constructor of Renault’s scope being associated in all areas of motorsport in a sustainable manner”, added Jean Todt. “To have the support of the World Series by Renault as a platform for road safety is an initiative that has touched us and that is part of our future actions concerning this scourge of road insecurity on a global level.”

The new star of the World Series by Renault, the Renault Sport R.S. 01 was also a hot topic of discussion. Laurens van den Acker, Director of Industrial Design at Renault, spoke about the origins of this race car with exceptional performance and the look of a concept-car. Alain Prost underlined the qualities of the car and the benefits of the driver development programme incarnated by the Renault Sport Trophy. Competition Director, Jean-Pascal Dauce along with Frans Verschuur confirmed the entry of the Verschuur team in the new championship, while testifying to the strength of the categories organized by Renault Sport Technologies.

In attendance along with Nyck de Vries, winner of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and ALPS, F1 drivers Sébastien Buemi and David Coulthard recalled the many sporting and popular virtues of the World Series by Renault

“When I do the demonstrations, I really feel the pleasure and that of the spectators ! It is a unique opportunity to drive without pressure and make them happy”, declared Sébastien and David added : “As simple as the concept is, the event has acquired a unique credibility. It is a great means of expression for young talent that goes well beyond just driving : media, marketing, sponsors…The World Series by Renault trains real professionals and Carlos Sainz showed that in Australia.”

The competitors in the World Series by Renault are currently conducting their pre-season testing and will head to the Motorland Aragón circuit on 25 and 26 April to kick-off the 2015 season.

2015 World Series by Renault Calendar
25 – 26 April : Motorland Aragón, Spain
24 May : Monaco (Formula Renault 3.5 Series only)
30 – 31 May : Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
13 – 14 June : Hungaroring, Hungary
11 – 12 July : Red Bull Ring, Austria (Formula Renault 3.5 Series only)
5 – 6 September : Silverstone, Great Britain
12 – 13 September : Nürburgring, Germany
26 – 27 September : Circuit Bugatti Le Mans, France
17 – 18 October : Circuito de Jerez, Spain