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Renault R28
Renault R28
Renault R28
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Renault R28
Nelson Piquet Jr. testing the R28 at Silverstone Circuit
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRenault
DesignersPat Symonds (Executive Engineer)
Bob Bell (Technical Director)
James Allison (Deputy Technical Director)
Tim Densham (Chief Designer)
Martin Tolliday (Deputy Chief Designer)
Tad Czapski (Technology Director)
Robin Tuluie (Head of R&D)
Dino Toso (Head of Aerodynamics)
David Wheater (Deputy Head of Aerodynamics)
Rob White (Engine Technical Director)
Axel Plasse (Project Manager - Engine)
PredecessorR27
SuccessorR29
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, designed for maximum strength and stiffness with minimum weight
Suspension (front)Carbon-fibre double wishbone, with pushrod and rocker operated inboard torsion bar/damper units, Zero-keel design for front suspension mounting in order to optimise front end aerodynamic performance.
Suspension (rear)Carbon-fibre double wishbone with gearbox-mounted vertical torsion bars and horizontally mounted damper units mounted on the top of the gearbox casing.
EngineRenault RS27-2008 2400cc 90-degree V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, 19,000 RPM Limited
TransmissionRenault Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with one reverse gear. "Quickshift" system in operation to maximise speed of gearshifts.
Power>750 hp @ 19,000 rpm
FuelElf
TyresBridgestone Potenza
Competition history
Notable entrantsING Renault F1 Team
Notable drivers5. Spain Fernando Alonso
6. Brazil Nelson Piquet Jr.
Debut2008 Australian Grand Prix
First win2008 Singapore Grand Prix
Last win2008 Japanese Grand Prix
Last event2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
182400

The Renault R28 is a Formula One racing car, with which Renault F1 contested the 2008 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham and Dino Toso with Pat Symonds overseeing the design and production of the car as Executive Director of Engineering and Rob White leading the engine design. The car was driven by Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr.

Launch

[edit]
Fernando Alonso testing the R28 at Valencia on January 23, 2008.

Similarly to Honda, Renault arrived at Valencia with their contender a week before its official launch, giving the first laps of the R28 to Fernando Alonso on January 21, 2008.[1] The car was officially launched on January 31, 2008 at Renault's communications headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the banks of the Seine in south-west Paris.[2] Renault unveiled rookie Nelson Piquet Jr. as Alonso's team mate for the 2008 season, and confirmed Lucas di Grassi,[3] Romain Grosjean[4] and Sakon Yamamoto[5] as their official test drivers.

The car carries a similar livery and sponsorship to 2007: ING are still the title sponsor, but Pepe Jeans has now been added as a sponsor, along with returnee Spanish insurance firm Mutua Madrileña. Mutua Madrileña had been a sponsor of the McLaren-Mercedes team in 2007, but chose to follow Alonso when he left McLaren after only one year due to Alonso's personal sponsors.[6]

2008 season

[edit]

Testing

[edit]

Renault made strong progress throughout the early 2008 testing schedule, with Alonso consistently at the top end of the timesheets. The Spaniard has commented that the team are "able to keep improving our understanding of the Bridgestone tyres, and also the new way of setting up the car with no traction control or engine braking".[7] The team made some improvements at a later test in Jerez, despite difficult windy weather conditions.[8]

Nelson Piquet Jr. driving the R28 at the 2008 French Grand Prix. The engine cover Shark Fin, similar to that of the Red Bull RB4, was attached from the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix.[9]

Later uses

[edit]

On April 9, 2009, during Renault's promotional tour in Dubai, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was invited to test drive the Renault R28 at the Dubai Autodrome. 100 meters after the start, he lost control of his car and crashed into the pit wall. The car was destroyed, but Ben Sulayem survived uninjured.[10]

Complete Formula One results

[edit]

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2008 ING Renault F1 Renault V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP TUR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN CHN BRA 80 4th
Fernando Alonso 4 8 10 Ret 6 10 Ret 8 6 11 4 Ret 4 4 1 1 4 2
Nelson Piquet Jr. Ret 11 Ret Ret 15 Ret Ret 7 Ret 2 6 11 Ret 10 Ret 4 8 Ret

Notes and references

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Renault R28

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Renault R28 was a Formula One racing car developed and raced by the Renault F1 Team during the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship season. Designed under the leadership of technical director Bob Bell and powered by the Renault RS27 2.4-liter producing approximately 750 horsepower, the R28 featured a carbon-fiber composite chassis measuring 4,800 mm in length, with a zero-keel front suspension system that separated the upper wishbone from the tub for improved and weight distribution. Key innovations included a tri-plane front wing arrangement with a low and bridge wing for enhanced , split sidepods with integrated mirror housings and flip-ups for better management, and a revised rear diffuser and exhaust layout to optimize cooling and traction on tires. The car also incorporated a new Standard (SECU) and a seven-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox, emphasizing reliability and setup flexibility after Renault's challenging 2007 campaign. Unveiled on January 31, 2008, at Renault's headquarters in , , with over 500 guests including team president , the R28 marked the return of double world champion to the team alongside rookie Nelson Piquet Jr., aiming to restore Renault's competitiveness following a third-place finish in the prior Constructors' Championship. The car debuted in testing on January 21, 2008, in , , where it demonstrated promising reliability over 1,500 kilometers, though early-season struggles with qualifying and setup persisted. In the 2008 season, the R28 achieved two victories—Alonso's wins at the inaugural from 15th on the grid (later tainted by the Crashgate involving deliberate and a crash by Jr., leading to team penalties in 2009) and the —contributing to Alonso's fifth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship with 61 points, while Jr. scored 19 points in his debut year. The team secured four podiums overall, culminating in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship with 80 points, a significant improvement that highlighted the R28's mid-season upgrades in and performance despite ongoing challenges with straight-line speed.

Design and Development

Background

The , which powered the team through the 2007 Formula One season, secured third place in the Constructors' Championship with 51 points but achieved no race victories, a sharp downturn from the squad's dual titles in 2006. This underwhelming campaign exposed critical weaknesses in aerodynamics and ongoing reliability problems that hampered consistent performance, issues the team sought to resolve for 2008 alongside adapting to the mandatory switch to tires. To address these shortcomings ahead of 2008, Renault maintained a stable technical leadership structure, with Bob Bell serving as technical director for chassis development, as executive director of engineering, and Rob White as deputy managing director for engines. The driver lineup underwent a major refresh, featuring the return of —winner of the 2005 and 2006 Drivers' Championships with Renault—as the lead pilot, alongside Brazilian rookie in the second seat. Development of the R28 commenced in mid-2007 under Symonds and White's supervision, with primary objectives centered on restoring the team's podium-contending form through enhanced overall package efficiency and compliance with pivotal 2008 rule alterations, such as the mandatory adoption of a standardized (ECU) from Electronic Systems and a complete freeze on specifications to curb costs and promote parity. The RS27 engine, carried over from the prior year, remained unaltered per the freeze provisions.

Technical Innovations

The Renault R28 featured a moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite , constructed as a fully-stressed member with the RS27 to enhance structural integrity while minimizing weight. This design incorporated a zero-keel front suspension layout, utilizing carbon fibre double wishbones with pushrod-operated inboard torsion bar and damper units, which improved and management under the 2008 regulations. Aerodynamically, the R28 introduced a revised front wing and a new rear diffuser as part of an overall package optimized for increased downforce, enabled by the zero-keel configuration that allowed cleaner airflow to the sidepods and floor. The rear suspension geometry was also refined, featuring carbon fibre wishbones with vertically mounted torsion bars and horizontally oriented dampers integrated into the gearbox housing, contributing to better stability and traction. The powertrain centered on the Renault RS27 V8 engine, a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated unit with a 90-degree V-angle, weighing 95 kg and capable of revving to a maximum of 19,000 RPM, delivering over 750 horsepower. It was paired with a seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox featuring quickshift technology for seamless gear changes, along with a single reverse gear, all compliant with the 2008 long-life gearbox mandate. The car integrated the McLaren Electronic Systems (MES)-Microsoft standard electronic control unit (SECU), mandated by the FIA for that season to standardize engine management and reduce costs. Development of the R28 was led by Bob Bell, with deputy James Allison overseeing key engineering decisions, and contributions from Dino Toso as director of aerodynamics.

Launch and Testing

Unveiling

The R28 was officially unveiled on , 2008, at the team's communications headquarters in , on the banks of the in southwest , . The event marked the start of the ING F1 Team's 2008 season preparations, showcasing the car's distinctive featuring prominent yellow and black accents with white ING sponsorship branding. Initial photos and technical were released during the presentation, emphasizing the R28's evolutionary approach to design as an refinement of the preceding R27 rather than a radical overhaul. Prior to the public launch, the R28 underwent a private shakedown on January 21, 2008, at the Circuit de Valencia in , where completed its initial laps without access granted to media or spectators. The unveiling confirmed the driver lineup, with double world champion partnering rookie Nelson Piquet Jr., supported by test drivers , , and . Team principal underscored the squad's ambitions, stating that the goal for 2008 was to secure finishes and race victories following the previous season's challenges. Media coverage of the launch highlighted optimism surrounding Alonso's return to , positioning the R28 as a potential contender to restore the team's competitive edge after a disappointing 2007. Initial reactions from industry observers noted the car's balanced aesthetics and the strategic focus on reliability, though some expressed cautious expectations given the tight competition in .

Pre-Season Testing

The pre-season testing program for the R28 commenced with a private shakedown session at the circuit from 21 to 24 January , where the car completed over 1,500 km across four days, demonstrating strong initial reliability despite the extensive technical changes for the regulations. The team then progressed to multi-team sessions at Jerez in late January and early February, for preliminary evaluations in February, and in late February and early March, allowing for iterative setup development and covering thousands of kilometers in total as the car was fine-tuned for race conditions. Early tests highlighted the R28's reliability, with the car running trouble-free during its debut outing in , completing nearly 40 laps on the first day alone under technical director Bob Bell's supervision. The team focused on aerodynamic adjustments to optimize balance, incorporating data to refine the car's front-end behavior and overall stability, while evaluating setup iterations for tire performance and suspension response. Lap times during the February Jerez test placed Renault in the midfield, with recording the ninth-fastest time of 1:19.660 and 11th at 1:20.013, competitive against top teams like and Ferrari but indicating room for pace gains. Testing encountered challenges, including adverse weather at Jerez where windy conditions disrupted aerodynamic data collection and limited track time. Additionally, engineers refined engine mapping to adhere to the rules' 19,000 rpm rev limit and standardized ECU specifications, ensuring compliance while maximizing power delivery from the frozen RS27 V8 unit. Driver feedback was generally positive, with expressing satisfaction with the R28's handling improvements over the previous year's model during the Valencia shakedown, noting better front-end grip and overall feel despite early development stages. , adapting to the car as a rookie race driver, noted the need for further setup tweaks to match his driving style.

2008 Season

Team and Drivers

The Renault F1 team fielded a driver lineup for the 2008 season consisting of in the #5 car and in the #6 car. Alonso, a two-time world champion from his 2005 and 2006 titles with , returned to the team as the lead driver, bringing extensive experience and expectations of strong performance. Piquet Jr., making his full-time Formula 1 debut as a rookie, was the son of three-time world champion and aimed to establish himself in the sport under the guidance of the established squad. Team leadership was headed by managing director and team principal , who oversaw overall operations and strategy, while Bob Bell served as technical director, responsible for chassis development and engineering oversight. Pat Symonds acted as executive director of engineering, focusing on performance optimization and race engineering. The broader team included specialized support staff such as race strategists for and tire management decisions, mechanics for car maintenance and setup, and aerodynamicists contributing to the R28's development throughout the season. Within the team, assumed a leadership role, leveraging his pedigree to guide development and provide feedback that influenced car setup refinements. Piquet Jr., as the inexperienced second driver, faced significant pressure to adapt quickly and deliver consistent results, particularly in qualifying and race pace against his more seasoned teammate. This dynamic fostered internal tensions, with team strategies often prioritizing Alonso's position in key moments, such as implementing to protect his points lead in select races. During pre-season testing, both drivers offered initial insights on the R28's handling, noting areas for improvement in balance and . The test and reserve driver roster supported the main effort through development work, with and handling the majority of on-track testing duties to validate upgrades and gather data for the R28. Sakon Yamamoto contributed in limited sessions, primarily focusing on promotional and demonstration runs rather than extensive mileage. These roles ensured continuous feedback loops, aiding the team's adaptation to the car's characteristics ahead of the season opener.

Race Performance

The Renault R28's performance across the 18 races of the 2008 Formula One season reflected a trajectory from early-season difficulties to a competitive resurgence in the latter stages, underscoring the car's evolving capabilities under the guidance of drivers Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr. The campaign opened at the Australian Grand Prix with Alonso claiming fourth place amid an eventful race, netting the team's initial points tally, while Piquet retired after 30 laps due to a hydraulic failure. Subsequent early outings highlighted persistent issues with aerodynamics and suboptimal adaptation to Bridgestone tire compounds, resulting in modest scores and mechanical retirements, such as Piquet's engine failure in Bahrain where Alonso salvaged tenth, and a challenging Turkish Grand Prix yielding sixth for Alonso but fifteenth for Piquet after tire degradation hampered progress. Mid-season technical evolutions proved instrumental in addressing these weaknesses, with aerodynamic refinements and a suspension setup incorporating a J-damper-inspired system introduced at the , enhancing stability and allowing better exploitation of track-specific characteristics in Europe. Reliability remained a concern, contributing to 12 retirements overall, yet strategic acumen and driver prowess began to shine through. The marked a breakthrough, as delivered a masterful one-stop , pitting just before a deployment triggered by 's lap-14 crash into the barriers at turn 17, propelling him from fifteenth on to in the inaugural night race. This triumph, however, was tainted by the 2009 disclosure of "Crashgate," where admitted the incident was orchestrated at to benefit , resulting in suspended bans for principals and . Building momentum, the R28 achieved consecutive wins, with dominating the from fourth on the grid to lead 49 of 67 laps, showcasing the car's enhanced high-speed balance and conservation on Fuji's demanding layout. added a highlight with second place in , aided by a timely , while secured another in with second, elevating the team's count to four amid improved late-season form on varied circuits. Despite ongoing challenges in warm-up and occasional handling inconsistencies noted by drivers, these results propelled Renault to 80 points and fourth in the Constructors' Championship.

Results and Aftermath

Season Results

In the 2008 Formula One Constructors' Championship, the team finished fourth with 80 points, trailing (172 points), McLaren-Mercedes (151 points), and BMW Sauber (135 points). placed fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 61 points, achieving two victories and three podium finishes overall. finished 14th with 19 points, with his best result being second place at the . The following table summarizes the Renault R28's race-by-race performance, showing driver positions and points scored (DNF indicates ; points system: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for top eight finishers).
Grand Prix Position/Points Position/Points
4th / 5DNF / 0
8th / 111th / 0
10th / 0DNF / 0
DNF / 0DNF / 0
6th / 315th / 0
10th / 0DNF / 0
DNF / 0DNF / 0
8th / 17th / 2
6th / 3DNF / 0
11th / 02nd / 8
4th / 56th / 3
DNF / 011th / 0
4th / 5DNF / 0
4th / 510th / 0
1st / 10DNF / 0
1st / 104th / 5
4th / 58th / 1
2nd / 8DNF / 0
Alonso secured three fastest laps during the season, while the team recorded no pole positions; the R28 suffered 11 retirements across both drivers.

Later Uses

Following the 2008 Formula One season, the Renault R28 saw no further competitive use, as it was succeeded by the R29 for the 2009 championship. One notable non-competitive appearance occurred during a promotional roadshow event at the on April 9, , where , then FIA Vice-President for Sport and a multiple Rally Champion, was invited to demonstrate the car. During a high-speed straight-line run against a , Ben Sulayem lost control of the R28 at over 200 km/h, resulting in a severe impact with the barriers; the caught fire and was completely destroyed, though the driver emerged unharmed after being extracted by marshals. Subsequent appearances of surviving R28 chassis were confined to exhibitions and static displays, with no additional dynamic demonstrations recorded after the Dubai incident. Among these, the chassis numbered #4—driven by Fernando Alonso to victories in the 2008 Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix—has been preserved and is on display at the Fernando Alonso Museum in Llaneras, Spain. Other chassis may reside in Renault's historic vehicle collection, which is set to feature in a new public exhibition center opening in Flins, France, in 2027; in November 2025, Renault announced an auction of 100 historic vehicles to curate the collection ahead of the opening, though specific inclusion of the R28 remains unconfirmed.

References

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