Details of Cars

Renault R28: Alonso’s return to Renault for 2008

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Renault R28
A Renault R28 Formula One car. Photo by Clemens Vasters from Viersen, Germany, Germany, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Renault R28 is a Formula One racing car with which Renault contested the 2008 season, driven by Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr. The chassis was designed by Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham and Dino Toso, with Pat Symonds as executive director of engineering and Rob White leading engine design.

Renault R28 at a glance

Renault R28 key facts
Team Renault, 2008 Formula One season
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr.
Chassis design Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham, Dino Toso
Engineering director Pat Symonds
Engine design Rob White
First laps Alonso, Valencia, 21 January 2008
Official launch 31 January 2008, Boulogne-Billancourt
Sponsors ING, Pepe Jeans and Mutua Madrileña

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault R28.

History of the Renault R28

Launch

Like Honda, Renault arrived at Valencia with their contender a week before its official launch, giving Fernando Alonso the first laps of the R28 on 21 January 2008. The car was officially launched on 31 January 2008 at Renault’s communications headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the banks of the Seine in south-west Paris. Renault unveiled rookie Nelson Piquet Jr. as Alonso’s team mate and confirmed Lucas di Grassi, Romain Grosjean and Sakon Yamamoto as official test drivers.

Renault R28 show car
A 2008 Renault R28 show car. Photo by H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Livery and sponsors

The car carried a similar livery and sponsorship to 2007: ING remained title sponsor, Pepe Jeans was added as a sponsor and the Spanish insurer Mutua Madrileña returned.

Design and features

  • Alonso’s return: the champion back at Renault after a season with McLaren.
  • Rookie team mate: Nelson Piquet Jr. alongside him.
  • Early Valencia laps: Alonso drove the car before the official launch.
  • Continued sponsors: ING as title partner with Pepe Jeans and Mutua Madrileña.

Renault R28 versions

  • R28 (2008): the single version raced during the season.

The R28 followed the Renault R27 and preceded the Renault R29; Alonso’s earlier titles came in the Renault R25 and R26. More cars are in the Renault collection.

Sources

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