René Arnoux
born 4 Jul 1948 · raced 1978–1989
René Arnoux was a mercurial talent whose career spanned the late 1970s and 1980s, primarily with Renault and Ferrari. Known for his aggressive, flamboyant driving style and exceptional qualifying pace, he was a formidable competitor, particularly in turbo-era cars. While never quite achieving a World Championship, his 7 victories and memorable duels, most notably with Gilles Villeneuve at Dijon in 1979, cemented his place as one of the era's most exciting figures. He competed in 149 Grands Prix, securing 18 pole positions and 22 podium finishes.
All-time records
Where René Arnoux ranks in the all-time Formula 1 record books.
- =16th in Most F1 Wins Without a Championship (7 wins)
- =17th in Longest F1 Win Droughts (35 races)
- =19th in Most F1 Pole Positions (18 pole positions)
- =19th in Most F1 Retirements (67 retirements)
- =20th in Most F1 Front Row Starts (34 front row starts)
- =23rd in Most Consecutive F1 Pole Positions (3 consecutive poles)
Top Teams
Top Circuits
Circuit | Wins | Avg ptsAvg Points (as awarded) |
|---|---|---|
| Kyalami | 1 | 2.6 |
| Dijon-Prenois | 0 | 2.5 |
| Circuit Park Zandvoort | 1 | 2.14 |
| Watkins Glen | 0 | 2 |
| Hockenheimring | 1 | 1.9 |
| Circuit Paul Ricard | 1 | 1.86 |
| Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari | 0 | 1.67 |
| Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 1 | 1.67 |
| Silverstone Circuit | 0 | 1.6 |
| Red Bull Ring | 0 | 1.44 |
Points are Grand Prix points as awarded at the time (sprints excluded); average points are per race started.
Most-shared teammates. Each link opens their head-to-head.
- Alain Prost30 shared races · Compare with Alain Prost (1982)
- Jean-Pierre Jabouille27 shared races · Compare with Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1979)
- Michele Alboreto16 shared races · Compare with Michele Alboreto (1984)
- Patrick Tambay15 shared races · Compare with Patrick Tambay (1983)
- Piercarlo Ghinzani14 shared races · Compare with Piercarlo Ghinzani (1987)
- Stefan Johansson10 shared races · Compare with Stefan Johansson (1988)
| Season | Championship position | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 24 | 0 | 2 |
| 1988 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2010 places lower than 1986 | 0 | 1 |
| 1986 | 109 places higher than 1985 | 0 | 14 |
| 1985 | 1913 places lower than 1984 | 0 | 3 |
| 1984 | 63 places lower than 1983 | 0 | 27 |
| 1983 | 33 places higher than 1982 | 3 | 49 |
| 1982 | 63 places higher than 1981 | 2 | 28 |
| 1981 | 93 places lower than 1980 | 0 | 11 |
| 1980 | 62 places higher than 1979 | 2 | 29 |
| 1979 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
| 1978 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Season | Team | Matchup | Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Ligier | Arnoux vs GrouillardRené Arnoux vs Olivier Grouillard | 3–4 |
| 1988 | Ligier | Arnoux vs JohanssonRené Arnoux vs Stefan Johansson | 5–5 |
| 1987 | Ligier | Arnoux vs GhinzaniRené Arnoux vs Piercarlo Ghinzani | 8–6 |
| 1986 | Ligier | Arnoux vs LaffiteRené Arnoux vs Jacques Laffite | 5–4 |
| 1986 | Ligier | Alliot vs ArnouxPhilippe Alliot vs René Arnoux | 2–5 |
| 1984 | Ferrari | Alboreto vs ArnouxMichele Alboreto vs René Arnoux | 8–8 |
| 1983 | Ferrari | Arnoux vs TambayRené Arnoux vs Patrick Tambay | 8–7 |
| 1982 | Renault | Arnoux vs ProstRené Arnoux vs Alain Prost | 5–11 |
| 1981 | Renault | Arnoux vs ProstRené Arnoux vs Alain Prost | 5–9 |
| 1980 | Renault | Arnoux vs JabouilleRené Arnoux vs Jean-Pierre Jabouille | 10–3 |
| 1979 | Renault | Arnoux vs JabouilleRené Arnoux vs Jean-Pierre Jabouille | 7–7 |
24 circuitsShow all▾
- Kyalami
- Circuit Park Zandvoort
- Hockenheimring
- Circuit Paul Ricard
- Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
- Dijon-Prenois
- Watkins Glen
- Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
- Silverstone Circuit
- Red Bull Ring
- Zolder
- Long Beach
- Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet
- Brands Hatch
- Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez
- Circuit de Monaco
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Hungaroring
- Circuito de Jerez
- Autódromo do Estoril
- Adelaide Street Circuit
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
- Detroit Street Circuit
198916 racesLigier▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Collision | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 23 | P13 | 0 | |
| 23 | P9 | 0 | |
| 17 | Collision | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 23 | P11 | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 18 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 22 | P56 places better than season average (P10.7) | 2 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 25 | P14 | 0 | |
| 21 | P12 | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1989 (P10.7, retirements excluded).
Earlier seasons1978–1988 (11 seasons)▾
198816 racesLigier▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Collision | 0 | |
| 23 | P17 | 0 | |
| 19 | Throttle | 0 | |
| 23 | P105 places better than season average (P15.0) | 0 | |
| 24 | P13 | 0 | |
| 17 | Accident | 0 | |
| 25 | Engine | 0 | |
| 17 | P17 | 0 | |
| 25 | P18 | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 20 | Overheating | 0 | |
| 20 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 20 | Accident | 0 | |
| 20 | Engine | 0 | |
| — | Did not qualify | 0 | |
| 18 | Clutch | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1988 (P15.0, retirements excluded).
198715 racesLigier▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Ignition | 0 | |
| 17 | Out of fuel | 0 | |
| 18 | Overheating | 0 | |
| 14 | Collision | 0 | |
| 18 | Radiator | 0 | |
| 15 | P10 | 0 | |
| 16 | P10 | 0 | |
| 19 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 12 | Ignition | 0 | |
| 16 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 13 | Exhaust | 0 | |
| 21 | P10 | 0 | |
| 22 | P11 | 0 | |
| 16 | P6 | 1 | |
| — | Suspension | 0 |
198616 racesLigier▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | P7 | 0 | |
| 13 | P158 places worse than season average (P6.7) | 0 | |
| 10 | P7 | 0 | |
| 11 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 12 | P10 | 0 | |
| 9 | Engine | 0 | |
| 8 | P4 | 3 | |
| 8 | P4 | 3 | |
| 4 | P5 | 2 | |
| 4 | Accident | 0 | |
| 5 | P6 | 1 | |
| 7 | Engine | 0 | |
| 12 | P5 | 2 | |
| 8 | Wheel | 0 | |
| 6 | Halfshaft | 0 | |
| 4 | P4 | 3 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1986 (P6.7, retirements excluded).
19851 raceFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | P4 | 3 |
198416 racesFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | P9 | 0 | |
| 6 | P5 | 2 | |
| 14 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 15 | P116 places worse than season average (P5.3) | 0 | |
| 15 | P7 | 0 | |
| 10 | P6 | 1 | |
| 13 | P6 | 1 | |
| 4 | P2 | 6 | |
| 15 | Accident | 0 | |
| 5 | P5 | 2 | |
| 3 | P3 | 2 | |
| 11 | P4 | 3 | |
| 6 | P2 | 6 | |
| 2 | P3 | 4 | |
| 15 | Injection | 0 | |
| 10 | Battery | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1984 (P5.3, retirements excluded).
198315 races, 3 winsFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Engine | 0 | |
| 5 | P95 places worse than season average (P3.9) | 0 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 10 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | P2 | 6 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P5 | 2 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 5 | Engine | 0 | |
| 2 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 1 | P3 | 4 | |
| 4 | P7 | 0 | |
| 2 | P3 | 4 | |
| 6 | P95 places worse than season average (P3.9) | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1983 (P3.9, retirements excluded).
198216 races, 2 winsRenault▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Engine | 0 | |
| 6 | P15 places better than season average (P5.5) | 9 | |
| 2 | P1610 places worse than season average (P5.5) | 0 | |
| 5 | Injection | 0 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | P15 places better than season average (P5.5) | 9 | |
| 6 | Collision | 0 | |
| 1 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 2 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 15 | P104 places worse than season average (P5.5) | 0 | |
| 1 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 2 | Turbo | 0 | |
| 1 | Turbo | 0 | |
| 3 | Collision | 0 | |
| 4 | Collision | 0 | |
| 1 | P3 | 4 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1982 (P5.5, retirements excluded).
198114 racesRenault▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 8 | Collision | 0 | |
| 1 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 2 | Engine | 0 | |
| 1 | P25 places better than season average (P7.3) | 6 | |
| 2 | P136 places worse than season average (P7.3) | 0 | |
| 1 | P9 | 0 | |
| 1 | P4 | 3 | |
| 17 | P9 | 0 | |
| 13 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 3 | P8 | 0 | |
| 5 | P5 | 2 | |
| 8 | Collision | 0 | |
| 20 | P8 | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1981 (P7.3, retirements excluded).
198014 races, 2 winsRenault▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | P7 | 0 | |
| 23 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 1 | P105 places worse than season average (P5.3) | 0 | |
| 1 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | P9 | 0 | |
| 3 | Engine | 0 | |
| 16 | Not classified | 0 | |
| 2 | P5 | 2 | |
| 20 | Accident | 0 | |
| 6 | P4 | 3 | |
| 2 | P9 | 0 | |
| 2 | P14 places better than season average (P5.3) | 9 | |
| 6 | P14 places better than season average (P5.3) | 9 | |
| 19 | Suspension | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1980 (P5.3, retirements excluded).
197915 racesRenault▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | P2 | 6 | |
| 8 | Accident | 0 | |
| 2 | Engine | 0 | |
| 1 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 1 | P6 | 1 | |
| 10 | Tyre | 0 | |
| 5 | P2 | 6 | |
| 2 | P3 | 4 | |
| 19 | Accident | 0 | |
| 18 | Turbo | 0 | |
| 11 | P95 places worse than season average (P4.4) | 0 | |
| — | Withdrew | 0 | |
| 10 | Tyre | 0 | |
| 11 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 25 | Engine | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than René Arnoux’s average finish in 1979 (P4.4, retirements excluded).
19786 races▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Engine | 0 | |
| 21 | P9 | 0 | |
MartiniDutch GPDutch Grand Prix | 23 | Chassis | 0 |
| 26 | P9 | 0 | |
MartiniFrench GPFrench Grand Prix | 18 | P14 | 0 |
MartiniBelgian GPBelgian Grand Prix | 19 | P9 | 0 |