The R28's predecessor struggled to compete with McLaren's and Ferraris cars last year and the French squad were left powerless to defend their 2005 and 2006 titles, eventually finishing 150 point adrift of world champions Ferrari in the standings.
Understandably, Renault are looking to make a fresh start in 2008 and climb their way back up the field. Replacing their outgoing line-up of Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen will be Nelson Piquet Jr, who was promoted from a test role to a race seat, and Fernando Alonso, who returns to the team with which he won his 05 and 06 driver crowns.
Both Alonso and Piquet Jr have already sampled the R28 on track during last weeks test at the Spanish circuit of Valencia. Over four days they covered more than 300 laps as they carried out an intensive evaluation programme, assessing the cars strengths and weaknesses.
The duo will be present at Thursdays launch, which will be held at Renaults corporate communications headquarters in Paris from 1400 hours local time. Team principal Flavio Briatore and technical director Bob Bell will also be in attendance, answering questions in front of an expected audience of 600 guests.
Once the launch is over, the team will return to Spain to continue testing and are expected back on track on Friday for the start of a three-day session at Barcelonas Circuit de Catalunya.
formula1.com
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