BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Renault’s 2008 driver lineup will consist of something old and something new.
As revealed last week in National Speed Sport News, after an unhappy 2007 season at McLaren, Fernando Alonso will return to Renault.
“I am delighted to be returning to Renault,” said the 26-year-old Spaniard.
“This is the team where I grew up as a driver in F-1. 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.”
Alonso drove for Renault from 2003 to 2006, winning 15 races and the championship in 2005 and 2006.
Alonso’s contract is thought to be for two years with an option for a third. Rumors say he has a get-out clause if a seat at Ferrari opens up.
Nelson Piquet, Jr., the 22-year-old son of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, will make his F-1 debut in the second Renault. Piquet, who finished second in the 2006 GP2 championship behind Lewis Hamilton, was a test driver with Renault in 2007.
“Fernando’s abilities as a driver and a team leader are well known,” team boss Flavio Briatore said, “and we look forward to forging another strong partnership. Nelsinho is one of the most promising young talents in motorsports. He is now ready to step up to the next level.”

• When Michael Schumacher and his family were running late heading for the airport in Germany, the seven-time world champion asked if he could take the wheel of the taxi.
“It was crazy having Schumi driving, with me in the passenger seat,” the taxi driver was quoted saying in the Muenchner Abendzeitung newspaper. The Schumachers made it to the airport on time and tipped the taxi driver $145.

• McLaren Mercedes has signed Heikki Kovalainen as Hamilton’s teammate for 2008. Pedro de la Rosa remains the team’s third driver.
In 2007, rookie Kovalainen replaced Alonso at Renault. The Alonso/McLaren marriage lasted one season, and now Kovalainen has replaced Alonso at McLaren. Thus McLaren heads into 2008 with two second-year drivers.
“I haven’t really spent a lot of time with Lewis so far,” Kovalainen said, “but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team.”

• Vijay Mallya, the new co-owner of the Force India team, says his 2008 driver lineup will be decided before the end of the year. Adrian Sutil has been confirmed, but a number of drivers are vying for the second seat.

• Graham Rahal will get a chance to drive an F-1 car during the BMW Sauber F-1 Team Pit Lane Park show that will be in Las Vegas Jan. 7-10.
“It’s a great thrill for me to be driving a F-1 car even though it’s not on a proper racing circuit,” he said.

• Michael Schumacher says brother Ralf should not chase after the Force India seat, saying it makes no sense for him to drive for a team that comes last.
“I think there are more reasonable, safer, wealthier, nicer options for him to do,” Michael said. “I told him personally there are so many nice things outside (F-1), but I don’t know all his options.”
Michael said maybe Ralf should take a sabbatical.
“Maybe stop and have a break,” the older brother said. “He is young enough to stop and re-evaluate the situation and come back.”

• Asked after his second test with Ferrari if he plans to make a racing comeback, Michael Schumacher replied: “Not even a rumor! No intention of it. Definitely not.”

• Nico Rosberg, who has signed on with Williams through 2009, says that staying with the team is the best for him despite the fact that his name had been linked with McLaren Mercedes.
“The speculation was flattering and they (McLaren) had a great season last year,” he explained. “I’m racing to win and achieve success, so of course it would be appealing to race for a team that can win races here and now. Nonetheless, I believe that patience is important and a driver’s approach to his career needs to be measured. I believe we can have success at Williams in the near future and so that is my most preferred career route for the next couple of years.”

• The spy saga has made it “virtually impossible” for McLaren to generate investment in the team.
“Consequently, the long-term damage to the team’s previously outstanding record and commercial capability is significantly greater than that potentially envisaged by the fiscal penalty (the $100 million fine) that was previously imposed upon the team,” Martin Whitmarsh said.

• The 2008 Renault R28 will hit the track for the first time in a three-day team’s test in Valencia, Spain, starting Jan. 22. The car will be officially launched at Renault’s corporate communications headquarters in Paris on Jan. 31.

• Hamilton hopes his second season in F-1 won’t be like the political minefield he and the McLaren team experienced in 2007.
“I love to go to the tracks and drive,” Hamilton said during a BBC awards ceremony in England. “I don’t like to get involved in all the politics but unfortunately you are dragged into it. That comes with the whole game and you just have to deal with it in the best way you can. Hopefully, next year we will have a much smoother year and can have fun.”