Turbo will return to Formula One in 2014. Pictured, Alain Prost in Renault's pioneering turbo car in 1980.
Turbocharged! —
Turbo will return to Formula One in 2014. Pictured, Alain Prost in Renault's pioneering turbo car in 1980.
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When the Renault RS01 became F1's first turbocharged car in 1977, it earned the mocking nickname the "Yellow Teapot." It would be two years before Jean-Pierre Jabouille won a Grand Prix in a turbocharged car.
Turbocharged! —
When the Renault RS01 became F1's first turbocharged car in 1977, it earned the mocking nickname the "Yellow Teapot." It would be two years before Jean-Pierre Jabouille won a Grand Prix in a turbocharged car.
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"When Renault introduced the first turbo engine everybody was laughing -- especially in England," says Prost, who won two World Championships in turbo-powered cars.
Turbocharged! —
"When Renault introduced the first turbo engine everybody was laughing -- especially in England," says Prost, who won two World Championships in turbo-powered cars.
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"The turbo engine was very different to other engines. You had more power -- more top end power. But the weight of the car was much bigger," Prost told CNN.
Turbocharged! —
"The turbo engine was very different to other engines. You had more power -- more top end power. But the weight of the car was much bigger," Prost told CNN.
CNN
By the mid-80s, turbos ruled F1. In 1988 -- turbo's final season before being outlawed -- Prost was racing alongside Ayrton Senna in the dominant McLaren MP4/4. The V6 turbo-powered car raced to 15 victories in the 16 races that season.
Turbocharged! —
By the mid-80s, turbos ruled F1. In 1988 -- turbo's final season before being outlawed -- Prost was racing alongside Ayrton Senna in the dominant McLaren MP4/4. The V6 turbo-powered car raced to 15 victories in the 16 races that season.
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"The evolution you could see from 1981 to the end of the turbo in the late 1980s was huge," recalls Prost, who went on to win two further World Championships after the turbo ban.
Turbocharged! —
"The evolution you could see from 1981 to the end of the turbo in the late 1980s was huge," recalls Prost, who went on to win two further World Championships after the turbo ban.
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Turbocharger technology, which started life adding power to the engines of ships and aircraft (such as this American B-17 Flying Fortress), can today be found far beyond its specialist roots.
Turbocharged! —
Turbocharger technology, which started life adding power to the engines of ships and aircraft (such as this American B-17 Flying Fortress), can today be found far beyond its specialist roots.
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Production cars, especially those with diesel engines now commonly feature turbos. The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, the world's first hybrid diesel car, is fitted with a turbo to increase its power and efficiency.
Turbocharged! —
Production cars, especially those with diesel engines now commonly feature turbos. The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, the world's first hybrid diesel car, is fitted with a turbo to increase its power and efficiency.
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