The
Renault F1 Team officially launched its 2008 season on Thursday by unveiling the brand new R28 at the
Regie's communications headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the banks of the Seine in south-west Paris.
The ceremony was attended by
Renault president and CEO Carlos Ghosn, along with
Renault F1 team managing director, Flavio Briatore and drivers,
Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr.
A lot rests on the R28 after a difficult season in 2007, when the squad was comprehensively outperformed by Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and
BMW Sauber. As such the R28 is a product of an 'aggressive design concept'.
"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," explained a statement from the team.
"The new car features revised weight distribution and a new aerodynamic concept to match, which has been enabled by the introduction of a 'zero-keel' front suspension mounting."
Renault technical director Bob Bell said the car is 'much less evolutionary' than its predecessor.
"2007 was a very poor year by our standards. For 2008, there are high expectations inside and outside the team, and it is down to us to give the drivers a competitive car," he continued. "We have put the problems from 2007 behind us and in terms of the car design, we have looked at the problem afresh.
"The team pushed very hard in all areas, and particularly on the aerodynamics. The front end of the car has come in for special attention with a brand new front wing and the front suspension.
"The rear end has also been heavily reworked, and we haven't neglected the basics. We are confident that the advances we have seen in the wind tunnel will be reflected on track."
Renault meanwhile has already begun testing with the R28 and completed the first runs with the machine last week in Valencia - notching up over 1500 kilometres in total. Testing will now resume at the Circuit de Catalunya on Friday.
