Renault Sport Formula One Team and Disney combine the worlds of motorsport and film in team-up for epic celebration of ruby anniversaries.

Renault Sport Formula One Team has invited guests from a galaxy, far, far away to join them in a joint celebration to mark 40 years since Renault first entered Formula 1 and the theatrical release of the original Star Wars film : Star Wars : A New Hope. Promotional activities of galactic magnitude will resonate from midday at tomorrow’s Formula One Grand Prix de Monaco, highlighting the unique history of both iconic brands.

Star Wars : A New Hope first launched in theatres on May 25th, 1977, and Renault’s iconic and ground-breaking turbo-charged RS01 Formula 1 car debuted at Silverstone on 16th July 1977.

Both brands have had plenty of reasons to celebrate across the four decades, including seven world champions powered by a Renault engine and the Star Wars franchise scooping seven prestigious Academy Awards.

During those years there have been a number of standout moments, for example in 2005 when Renault stormed their way to a maiden Formula One world title and in 2015 when Star Wars : The Force Awakens became the highest grossing film of all time. Both brands continue to have a firm focus on future successes to come, such as with the upcoming launch of Star Wars : The Last Jedi this December.

The Force grows strong in 2017 for Renault after launching its latest challenger to the Formula 1 Championship, the R.S.17 in February, piloted by Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, who will be hoping to take the team’s performance to intergalactic heights !

Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director, Renault Sport Racing :

“1977 was an exciting year for both Renault and Star Wars. For Renault, we made our debut at Silverstone when the revolutionary turbo-charged R.S.01 took the track. This was just two months after the iconic first Star Wars movie was released, so the two brands are linked by this shared heritage. The Star Wars franchise is a global phenomenon with tremendous reach, whilst Renault has one of the most impressive records in Formula One history with 12 world champion titles and 170 wins. We are celebrating our joint 40th anniversaries together in true style and, you never know, we might deploy some Jedi skills on track at forthcoming Grands Prix.”

Anna Hill, Chief Marketing Officer, The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland :

“With it being 40 years this month since the release of the first Star Wars movie, Star Wars : A New Hope, we’re very excited to be teaming up with Renault Sport Formula One Team to mark this very special occasion. We know how much our Star Wars characters resonate with families of all ages so tomorrow’s Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco is a fantastic event in which to be holding joint ruby celebrations.”