Tonycocks - BMW cars

The BMW Group has achieved a new sales revenue record in 2007. Compared to the previous year, group revenues rose by 14.3% to euro 56,018 million . via Paddock Talk

Renault enters the 2008 season in rude health, following substantial technology investments by Renault during 2007 and the acquisition of new commercial partners for 2008. Coupled to a stable technical team with a proven track record, the team's outlook for the new season is positive and boss Flavio Briatore is promising a return to form after a disappointing 2007.

Nelson Piquet will partner Alonso in his debut Formula 1 season, as another famous name returns to the sport. While Nelsinho may carry a famous name, he is determined to make his own mark in F1, and to build on the experience he gained last year as test driver for the Renault team. 

Fernando Alonso returns to the team where he won his two world titles after a sabbatical season with rivals McLaren-Mercedes, and has already reacclimatised to life at Renault. 

Renault's hopes for the 2008 reason rest on the all-new Renault F1 R28. The car ran for the first time last week in Valencia, on Monday 21 January. During the four-day test, the car completed over 1500 km, indicating strong early reliability in spite of numerous changes to the 2008 technical regulations, including the introduction of the Standard ECU and long-life gearboxes. The team also made encouraging progress with set-up and performance development, allowing the car's debut to be judged as promising.

FIRST DRIVE: 2008 Audi A4 Tweaked, tightened and, if you ask me, BMW'd - Audi's 'new' A4 is going to be the Ingolstadt company's biggest swing at Germany's big two - BMW and Mercedes. via Crash

Renault officially launched its 2008 season this afternoon as it revealed the brand new Renault F1 R28 and its driver line-up at Renault's communications headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the banks of the Seine in south-west Paris.

Felipe Massa says he is feeling much stronger in 2008 as the new Ferrari is much more reliable than its predecessor. Massa's challenge for the championship in 2007 was largely hampered by poor reliability.

Alexander Wurz thought he said Formula 1 farewell after the Chinese Grand Prix last year. But the Austrian could not resist Honda F1's offer to continue in Formula One as the team's test and reserve driver. Wurz did admit that it helped the team signed Ross Brawn as the team's principal.