F1 World Championship 2007 Thread

[Fergie]

Alonso to partner Piquet at Renault for 2008

Fernando Alonso will race for Renault next season alongside Nelson Piquet Jr, it was confirmed on Monday. The move marks Alonso?s return to the team with whom he won two world titles and follows a troubled 2007 season with McLaren.

Piquet?s promotion from test driver to race seat means Renault will field an all-new line-up for next season - and leaves current stars Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen without confirmed drives for 2008.

?I am delighted to be returning to Renault,? said Alonso. ?This is the team where I grew up as a driver in Formula One. 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.?

?Fernando and Nelsinho will form one of the most exciting driver line-up of 2008,? commented Renault team principal 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.

Alonso, 26, previously drove for Renault between 2003 and 2006, during which time he scored 15 Grand Prix victories and won two drivers? championships, in 2005 and 2006.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Brazilian Piquet spent 2007 as Renault?s test and reserve driver, after finishing runner-up in the 2006 GP2 series championship. The Brazilian will now make his Formula One 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,? said Piquet. ?It is a fantastic opportunity to make my Formula One 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.?

Briatore added: ?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.?

Alonso and Piquet 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.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7167.html

Now I hope Kovaleinen (or however you spell it) gets the other McLaren seat.

[Martyn]

Made up for Alonso :)

[sundayx Veteran]

I want Renault to bring back the old colors. They were style! The new one just screams ING.

[.mcman]

McLaren signs Kovalainen for long-term

14 December 2007

McLaren has confirmed that Finn Heikki Kovalainen will team up with Lewis Hamilton for the 2008 season. Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa will remain the third driver while Gary Paffett will assist de la Rosa with the testing programme when required.

"We had a number of options open to us and as always we want to make sure that we have the most competitive driver line-up and I think that Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination," said Martin Whitmarsh. "Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best. Heikki made a strong impression and Lewis' performance so far has been outstanding and speaks for itself. I am confident that they will push each other on track and work well together off track. In addition with Pedro remaining our primary test driver alongside Gary, we really have a strong package and look forward to 2008."

26-year-old Heikki, who made his Formula 1 race debut last year with Renault, joins the team on a long-term contract and will commence his on-track programme in early January.

"I am so excited to join a team like McLaren Mercedes," said Heikki. "So far I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment to winning which is clear through the entire organisation and I am really excited about our joint future. As a Finn it's an honour for me to follow in Mika and Kimi's footsteps. I haven't really spent a lot of time with Lewis so far but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team."

:lamp: Source.

Finn in McLaren, again. :)

[Jack_Vorobey]

I vote for Ferrari =)

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Topic Unpinned by request of starter.

Season is over.