Before making its first foray into Formula One, Renault built its motorsport reputation in rallying. It's post war landmark victory came on the 1958 Monte Carlo with a Renault Dauphine and during the 1960s Renault-powered Alpine A110 sportscars scored numerous international rally wins culminating in the first world rally championship title in 1973.

During the 1980s Renault picked its events carefully and scored a giant-killing Monte Carlo win against four-wheel drive opposition with its Renault 5 Turbo in 1981. The car was continually developed and in 1985 now in uprated Maxi specification won the Tour de Corse. In the UK Renault is remembered for dominating the British Rally Championship with back-to-back titles in 1998 and '99 with its fabulous Maxi Megane.