R28: blending new solutions and proven technology

The ING Renault F1 Team’s hopes for the 2008 season rest on the all-new Renault F1 R28. During its first runs, the car indicated strong reliability, in spite of numerous changes to the 2008 technical regulations, including the introduction of the Standard ECU and long-life gearboxes.

The new car represents a shift in design philosophy from its predecessor, in order to extract optimum performance from the Bridgestone tyres that all competitors have used since the start of 2007.

The new car features revised weight distribution and a new aerodynamic concept, which has been enabled by the introduction of a “zero-keel” front suspension mounting.

The car will once again be powered by the RS27 V8 engine, which remains substantially the same as last year’s unit, given the engine homologation rules currently in force.

The pilots: back to the future

The pilots, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Fernando Alonso, with Flavio Briatore (VP, Renault F1 Team)

Alonso returns ‘home’ to the team where he won his two world titles after a sabbatical season with rivals McLaren-Mercedes, and has already reacclimatised to life at Renault. The Spaniard scored 15 of his 19 career wins with Renault, and is the only man to have finished in the world championship top three over the past three seasons.

Nelson Piquet will partner Alonso in his debut Formula 1 season. While Nelsinho may carry a famous name, he is determined to make his own mark in F1, and to build on the experience he gained last year as test driver for the ING Renault F1 Team.

The race driver pairing will be aided in their test and development work by third driver Lucas di Grassi, runner-up in the 2007 GP2 series championship, test driver Romain Grosjean, who will also compete in the 2008 GP2 series with ART Grand Prix, and test driver Sakon Yamamoto.

Romain Grosjean, Lucas Di Grassi and Sakon Yamamoto.