Renault unveils its drivers for 2008

Next year, Fernando Alonso, double world champion, and Nelson Piquet Jr will carry the colors of the team with the diamond logo. The young French driver Romain Grosjean, coming from the Renault Driver Development program and 2007 Formula 3 Euroseries Champion, will be alongside them as a test driver.

« Fernando and Nelsinho will form one of the most promising duos on the 2008 grid, » commented Flavio Briatore, Managing Director of Renault F1 Team.

We are very happy to welcome Fernando back to the team with which he has known so much success. His qualities as a driver and leader are well known, and we look forward to developing a new partnership which we hope will prove fruitful. What more can be said? He knows our way of working and all the team members, and he will feel comfortable right from the start.

Nelson is one of the most promising young talents in motorsport right now. He spent a year gaining experience as a test driver and getting settled within the team; he is now ready to take it to the next level, Briatore stated.

The President of ING Renault F1 Team, Mr. Bernard Rey, stated at the announcement of the 2008 drivers: « The recent investments made to develop our infrastructure, the return of Fernando Alonso to our team, and the appointment of Nelson Piquet Jr emphasize our commitment to quickly becoming a leading team again. Additionally, the arrival of a French test driver within the team is a source of satisfaction for Renault. »

Fernando joins the Renault team after competing in the 2007 season under the McLaren Mercedes banner. Alonso raced for Renault from 2003 to 2006, during which he won 15 Grand Prix races and secured two world titles in 2005 and 2006. He will play a key role in the team’s efforts to return to the forefront in 2008.

Nelson Piquet Jr will therefore complete the French team’s tandem next season. The 22-year-old Brazilian was the third driver and test driver for the team in 2007, after finishing as vice champion in the GP2 Series in 2006. He will make his Grand Prix debut in the top category in 2008 at the Australian Grand Prix.

According to the ING Renault F1 Team