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How much Renault is paying Alonso is not clear, but after 'saving' 100 million Euro in their spy case versus McLaren Renault can afford to pay Fernando Alonso's paycheck, a rumoured 30 million Euro a year on a two-year contract.

Joining Alonso as second driver in the Renault F1 Team is Nelson Piquet Jr, son of the Brazilian legend. Nelson is now 22 years old and has one year of F1 test driving under his belt and said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to make my Formula 1 debut with one of the top teams on the grid, and alongside one of the very best drivers in the sport. As a rookie, there is no better way to start your career than to have a double world champion as your reference point.” Something that Lewis Hamilton clearly proved last season.

Ralf Schumacher is seriously thinking about quitting Formula One altogether after leaving Toyota and testing for a place at Force India. Michael Schumacher told Auto Motor und Sport magazine: “I don't know what his ambitions are, but crawling around in this car, I don't even know what it's called... He should not do that to himself."