Carlos Ghosn and Nelson Piquet Jr meet in Brasilia
Just one week after being announced as a 2008 race driver
for the ING Renault F1 Team, Nelson Piquet Jr accompanied
Renault President and CEO Carlos Ghosn as they met Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil.
The meeting took place in the nation's capital Brasilia,
which is also home to Nelsinho's family. After being introduced
to President Lula following a meeting between the Brazilian
President and Carlos Ghosn, Nelsinho answered questions from
a large group of local media gathered to meet the young driver
and the Renault President.
Following a photo call with the Renault Sandero, the five-door
saloon which has been developed for growth markets in South
America and around the world, and which will be assembled
in Renault's Curitiba factory; Nelsinho fielded questions
from more than 300 Renault guests and members of the company's
sales network in Brazil. The employees had the opportunity
to meet the young driver, and discuss his career, his job
and his expectations for next season.
Carlos Ghosn: "Brazilians need to know
that Renault is also a Brazilian company with a local facility,
in Curitiba. Having a Brazilian driver will undoubtedly helps
to raise the Renault brand awareness on this market which
is really important to us. I am then really pleased to see
Nelsinho driving for our Formula One team next year and I
am confident with Fernando Alonso they will be able to fight
at the top of the field in 2008."
Nelson Piquet Jr: "I am honoured to
have the opportunity to be here today with Carlos Ghosn and
to meet President Lula. This is my first appearance since
being announced as an ING Renault F1 Team race driver for
2008, and it's even more special because we are in my family's
home town. I can already see how being a race driver changes
things for the people I meet in terms of their enthusiasm.
I received a fantastic welcome from Renault Brasil, who organised
the whole day. As a driver, it is always enjoyable to meet
other people working for Renault around the world; but if
I'm completely honest, I can't wait to resume my preparations
for next season, and to hit the track as soon as possible."
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