Now that Renault's sorted out their McLaren-esque issues, the
deal's done:
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," Briatore said.
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.
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.
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.
It'll be good seeing Fred go back to racing instead of having to
play political games with Ron's toy boy.
