ING Renault F1 Team announces 2008 driver line-up
The ING Renault F1 Team is pleased to announce a competitive
driver duo for the 2008 Formula 1 season.
Next year, double world champion Fernando Alonso will drive
alongside Brazilian rookie Nelson Piquet Jr. They will be
supported by Frenchman Romain Grosjean, reigning 2007 F3 Euroseries
Champion and a product of Renault's driver development scheme,
in the role of test driver.
"Fernando and Nelsinho will form one of the most exciting
driver line up of 2008," commented Renault F1 Team Managing
Director Flavio Briatore. "We are delighted to be welcoming
Fernando back home to the team where he enjoyed his greatest
success. His abilities as a driver and a team leader are well
known, and we look forward to forging another strong partnership.
What's more, he knows the team well and how we operate; he
will feel comfortable straight away in this environment. Nelsinho
is one of the most promising young talents in motorsport.
After his success in GP2, he has spent a year learning the
ropes as our test driver and getting to know the team ; he
is now ready to step up to the next level."
ING Renault F1 Team President Bernard Rey commented: "The
entire team has been working flat out over the past months
to return to the front of the field, and a top-line driver
line-up is essential to achieving our targets. Our recent
technology investments, the return of Fernando Alonso to the
team, and the promotion of Nelsinho Piquet, all signal our
intent to return to winning ways next year. Renault is also
delighted to welcome a talented, young Frenchman to the team
as test driver."
Fernando Alonso rejoins the Renault F1 Team after spending
the 2007 season at McLaren-Mercedes. Alonso drove for the
Renault F1 Team between 2003 and 2006, during which time he
scored 15 Grand Prix victories and won two world championships,
in 2005 and 2006. He will play a key role in the team's efforts
to return to the front of the field in 2008.
"I am delighted to be returning to Renault," commented
the 26 year-old Spaniard. "This is the team where I grew
up as a driver in Formula 1. Now it is time for us to begin
a new chapter together. I am very excited about working with
this great team once more, and confident that together we
can move back to the front of the field. Renault had a difficult
year in 2007, but I know that the team has real strength in
depth. I am confident they can produce a fast and competitive
car and be back at the top in 2008."
Nelson Piquet Jr will complete the team's race driver line-up.
The 22 year-old Brazilian spent 2007 as the Renault F1 Team's
test and reserve driver, after finishing runner-up in the
2006 GP2 series championship. He will make his F1 debut at
the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.
"First of all, I want to thank Flavio and Renault for
putting their confidence in me for 2008," commented Nelsinho.
"It is a fantastic opportunity to make my Formula 1 debut
with one of the top teams on the grid, and alongside one of
the very best drivers in the sport. This drive is something
I have been working towards since the end of 2006, and I am
proud that my performances as test driver have earned me this
position. I am looking forward to teaming up with Fernando,
and learning from him. As a rookie, there is no better way
to start your career than to have a double world champion
as your reference point."
The team's 2008 challenger, the Renault R28, will run for
the first time at a three-day teams test in Valencia, Spain
from 22 – 24 January. The car will be officially launched
at Renault's corporate communications headquarters in Paris,
France on Thursday 31 January 2008.
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