Driving a Renault RE40 with Allan McNish and Romain Grosjean

Alain Prost in the Renault RE40 on his way to pole position, fastest lap and the race win of the 1983 French Grand Prix. Image thanks to the Cahier Archive

Allan McNish and Romain Grosjean enjoy a good day at the office in this video from BBC’s 2014 Formula 1 coverage, driving a Renault RE40 at Silverstone.

The car was Renault’s entrant for the 1983 Formula 1 World Championship. A non-ground effects car after rule changes going in to 1983, it features some trick tech from the time, including a chassis built almost entirely out of carbon fibre. It’s propelled by the turbo Gordini EF1 1.5-litre V6 that debuted, in a significantly less developed form, back in 1977.

After putting this particular car on the second row of the grid of the 1983 British Grand Prix, Alain Prost was able to get past the twin Ferraris of René Arnoux and Patrick Tambay to win the race by a healthy 19 seconds.

In the video, three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans-winner, three-time American Le Mans Series Champion and FIA World Endurance Champion Allan McNish meets up with whippersnapper and current Haas F1 Team driver Romain Grosjean for a picnic and a run around Silverstone in the car. Hop on board with them, and enjoy.

MORE: Stepping stones to F1: Mika Hakkinen and Allan McNish

Image thanks to the Cahier Archive