Alonso and Piquet to stay with Renault in 2008

Fernando Alonso and Brazilian Nelson Piquet will still be Renault's drivers next season with the Spaniard extending his contract for another two years, the Formula One team said yesterday.

Double world champion Alonso signed a two-year extension for 2009 and 2010 and Piquet was confirmed for a further season.

Spaniard Alonso had been expected to stay, although his decision to sign for two more years came as a surprise.

Piquet, whose namesake father was a triple world champion, made his Formula One debut this season. He had expressed fears he might be replaced by young French driver Romain Grosjean.

"We are happy to confirm both Fernando and Nelson for next season", team boss Flavio Briatore said.

"This gives the Renault F1 Team one of the most exciting driver pairings with the perfect blend of youth and experience.

"Fernando's commitment for the next two seasons confirms the faith he has in the team and we are delighted to continue working with him," he added.

"He has been a big asset throughout this difficult season and his leadership and talent, matched with the team's hard work and determination, have paid off with our recent performances, which have placed Renault back at the top."

Alonso, who won the title for Renault in 2005 and 2006 and returned to the team after a difficult season with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in 2007, scored successive wins in Singapore and Japan this year.

"I have decided to stay with the Renault F1 team because, as I have often repeated this season, they have always been my first choice and I feel very happy and comfortable with them", Alonso said.