The category descended from Formula France, which was created in 1968. Following its official establishment as Formula Renault in 1971, the series underwent several technical evolutions based on engine capacity. The cars utilized 1.3L engines from 1968 to 1971, followed by 1.6L engines (1972–1981) and 1.6L turbo powerplants (1982–1988).
In 1989, the series was introduced to the United Kingdom and adopted a 1,721 cc engine (1989–1994). Even after these cars were replaced at the top level by 2.0L 8V engines (1995–1999), a club-level series for the 1,721 cc machinery continued to run in parallel with the more ambitious 2.0L championships. This progression is recognized as a key step in a driver's career before moving into Formula Three.
The 2.0L category is a prominent tier of the formula. Between 1995 and 1999, the "Formula Renault 95" used production 2.0-litre 8V 165 hp engines and steel space frame chassis with fibreglass bodies. During this period, multiple manufacturers including Mygale, Martini, Swift, Tatuus, and Ermolli built cars around spec components such as the engine, bellhousing, gearbox, and ECU.
In 2000, the series evolved into a 2L 16V one-make format using a Tatuus-designed carbon fiber monocoque. The Tatuus Formula Renault car is described as the most successful single-seater ever, with nearly 1,000 units sold over ten years of service. These cars featured 2.0L Renault Clio engines and Sadev six-speed sequential gearboxes. The engine output was originally 185 hp, later upgraded to 210 hp in 2006. Performance figures for this era include acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.85 seconds and braking from 200 km/h (124 mph) to a stop in 4.60 seconds.
For the 2010 season, a new car manufactured by Barazi-Epsilon (the EB01 A) was introduced for major championships. This model featured a 7-speed sequential gearbox and a 210 bhp Renault F4R 832 engine. The older Tatuus chassis continued to see use in minor series such as Formula Renault BARC in the UK.
Championships for 2.0L machinery include regular series and Winter Series, which are off-season competitions held between November and February. In 2005, all series names were updated from Formula Renault 2000 to Formula Renault 2.0. A notable graduate of this level is Kimi Räikkönen, who moved directly into Formula One after winning the British Formula Renault championship.
The most senior tier began as the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup in 2003, organized by Renault to run as part of Eurosport's Super Racing Weekends. In 2005, Renault left the Super Racing Weekends and merged the series with the World Series by Nissan to create the Formula Renault 3.5 Series as part of the World Series by Renault.
The 3.5L machinery utilized Tatuus chassis for the Eurocup and Asian formulas, while the World Series used Dallara cars. From 2012, the cars were powered by a 3396 cc Zytek ZRS03 V8 engine producing 530 hp, replacing the earlier 3498 cc Renault Type V4Y RS V6. In 2016, the series became the World Series Formula V8 3.5 before folding in 2017.
The 1.6L series is open to drivers between 14 and 21 years of age who have previous experience in karting. These cars utilize Renault K4M 1598cc engines. In the 2007 Belgian championship, Karline Stala became the first woman to win a single-seater championship. As a result of her performance, she was invited to test the Formula Renault 3.5L car at Circuit Paul Ricard in November 2007, an opportunity typically reserved for the top 2.0L and 3.5L drivers.
Renault power has supported various other formulas globally:
Argentina: Several championships exist outside the official 2.0L series, including Formula Renault Plus (1598cc), Formula Renault Interprovincial (1397 cc), and Formula 4 Metropolitana. The Formula Super Renault utilized chassis from Dallara, Reynard, Ralt, or TOM'S with Renault 21, 18, or F3R 2.0L engines.
Asia: Formula V6 Asia started in 2006. In 2008, Formula Asia 2.0 was introduced using Tatuus chassis and Michelin tyres, though it only ran for one season.
Europe: The Formula 2000 Light series was created in Italy in 2008, utilizing Tatuus Formula Renault or Formula Three chassis. The Austria Formel Renault Cup has been held since 2007 in conjunction with the Austria Formula 3 Cup.
Latin America: The LATAM Challenge Series was introduced in 2008.
Renault currently backs the French F4 Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship.
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