Renato Balestrero (July 27, 1898 – February 18, 1948) was an Italian racecar driver from Genoa, winning 54 out of 217 races between 1922 and 1947.
Born in Lucca, he resided in Genoa and served in World War I. He began his racing career in an Officine Meccaniche 665, winning the Coppa Ciano in 1924 and several events during the 1925 and 1926 Grand Prix seasons, including the I Tripoli Grand Prix in 1925.
Later, he purchased a Bugatti T35C for 75,000 francs, which he raced in 1927 and 1929. As an agent for General Motors, he competed with the newly introduced La Salle in 1928. His other vehicles included a Talbot 1700 (1931), along with Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, Alfa Romeo P3, and Fiat 1100 models.
Before World War II, he operated the Scuderia Balestrero, which included himself, Giovanni Balestrero, and Clemente Balestrero. Since 1953, the Lucca-based Scuderia Balestrero has remained active.
Balestrero died at Niguarda Hospital in Milan after being struck by a Gazzetta dello Sport car during a roadside accident. He was transporting an engine to the Nardi Danese workshop at the time.