|
The Renault Driver
development Programme announces its 2007 class - 14 FEB
2007
Five drivers make up the
RDD 2007 class and will represent Renault in the most
prestigious European championships.
For five years, the
Renault Driver Development Programme has been aiming at
discovering the new talents of motorsport and then train and
prepare them for the demands of their job as professional
drivers. After taking Heikki Kovalainen under its wing in
2002, the RDD Programme has guided him through the upper
echelons of the competition. Today, the Finn is one of the
official drivers of the Formula 1 double World Champions
Renault F1 Team.
This season, the RDD
Programme bets on five young drivers whose talent and
ambitions will be displayed in GP2 Series, World Series by
Renault, F3 Euroseries and FR 2.0.
Lucas di Grassi –
Brazilian – 22 years old
Lucas entered the RDD Programme
in 2004 and he showed his potential when he won the very
prestigious 52nd Macao Grand Prix in 2005. After experiencing
a more delicate season in 2006, Lucas will clearly be one of
the most serious candidates to the GP2 Series 2007 title. He
will be driving for the double title-holder team ART Grand
Prix.
"For the past three
years, Renault has helped me become a better and stronger
driver. It is an immense chance to be part of the RDD
Programme. I gained a lot of experience last season and I will
use it well in order to win the GP2 title in
2007."
Romain Grosjean –
French – 20 years old
Romain is one of the most promising
French drivers of his generation. After he won the French FR
2.0 Championship in 2005, Romain entered the RDD Programme.
The following year, in F3 Euroseries, he experienced a more
challenging season, but his talent and determination were
recognised. Once again this year, he is part of the RDD
Programme and will be fighting for the F3 Euroseries crown
with the title-holder team ASM.
"I am extremely proud to
be part of the RDD for the second year. I realise how lucky I
am: Renault is a big International group with a double World
Champions F1 Team and they support me."
Ben Hanley – British
– 22 years old
Fast and combative, Ben Hanley enters his
second year within the RDD Programme. In 2006, for his second
season in motorsport, he participated to the World Series by
Renault. Finishing in the points on a regular basis, Ben also
scored a victory and a podium in Misano, Italy. For this
season, he will fight for the WSR title with Prema
Powerteam.
"Being part of the RDD
Programme is priceless. In a year, I have become a better
driver physically and mentally. I will be even stronger this
season."
Nelson Panciatici –
French – 18 years old
At 17 years old, Nelson Panciatici
became one of the youngest drivers to ever enter the FR 2.0
Championship. Extremely fast and constantly improving, Nelson
finished his 2006 season winning his first race in Albi and
scoring 6 podiums and 1 pole position. A newcomer to the RDD
Programme this season, Nelson will try and prove his talent in
the Eurocup and FR 2.0 French Championship with the leading
team SG Formula.
"I am proud to be part of
the RDD Programme. It really boosts my motivation: Renault is
a French company that shines in Formula One. I want to work
hard and do my best in order to prove that I belong to this
demanding Programme."
Dani Clos – Spanish –
18 years old
With 8 victories – including 6 wins in a
row – and 3 podiums, Dani Clos became Champion of the
Italian FR 2.0 Championship in 2006. During that same season,
he also fought for the Eurocup title, winning 3 races and
scoring 4 pole positions. The very promising Dani – also the
youngest member of this year's RDD class – will compete in
the Formula 3 Euroseries Championship with
Signature.
"I know that through this
Programme I have better chance of becoming a professional
driver. I know it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'll
do whatever it takes in order to prove to Renault that they
made the right decision in choosing me."
About the Renault Driver
Development programme
The RDD Programme was launched in
2002 by the Renault F1 Team. For the duration of one season,
the selected drivers have to prove their potential on track in
their championship, but also they will have to prove their
athletics qualities while being instructed by a physical
trainer dedicated to the drivers' performance and improvement.
The RDD drivers also have to be able to represent Renault in
the world. The RDD programme is recognised as a selective,
rigorous and effective
programme. | 
