Renault launches 2008 roadshow programme

Following the official presentation of the team’s new 2008 car last month, the ING Renault F1 Team is pleased to announce its plans for an expanded Roadshow campaign this year. Remaining faithful to the original philosophy, which has always been to take Formula 1 to the people and open the doors to this exclusive world, the ING Renault F1 Team Roadshow continues for a fifth consecutive year, demonstrating its cars in some of the biggest cities on the planet.

Launched in 2003, the programme has allowed more than two million people around the world to participate in a unique sporting spectacle that combines technical excellence with passion and excitement.

Having visited cities such as Seville, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Mexico City, the ING Renault F1 Team is preparing an even more ambitious demonstration programme this year. Running parallel to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Roadshow team already has plans for around ten events, in addition to the traditional World Series by Renault events.

After five years, the aims of the programme remain unchanged: to bring the fans to the heart of the action, and to share the excitement of Formula 1 in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Bernard Rey, President of the ING Renault F1 Team, said at the launch of the 2008 programme: “Formula 1 is one of the main pillars of the company’s global sales and marketing strategies. In non-traditional markets, Formula 1 is a powerful tool for building brand awareness, while in more traditional markets it confirms Renault’s status as a manufacturer that delivers performance, reliability and high technology.

“Our Roadshow programme is renowned as the most cost-effective promotional tool in the sport, and that really says it all. It is a fantastic lever for generating coverage in markets which do not host a race. For example, in Mexico City last year, hundreds of thousands of people watched our cars running on one of the city’s main avenues. Many of these are potential customers for Renault and our partners, and many millions more are reached by the media coverage of these unique events. These events have been universally successful, and will continue to expand to include new markets in 2008."

Flavio Briatore, Managing Director of the ING Renault F1 Team commented: “The essence of the Roadshow is about bringing F1 to the fans. We drive our cars in front of the public, on the roads of their city or during a World Series by Renault event. It’s about giving people the opportunity to approach the cars, the team and the drivers; to do things that they would never normally have the opportunity to do during the course of a Grand Prix weekend.

“The ING Renault F1 Roadshow is above all about showing the public what modern Formula 1 is all about: a fabulous spectacle and an unforgettable experience!”

It will be in May, on the streets of Marseille (in the south of France), that the ING Renault F1 Team will begin its 2008 Roadshow programme, demonstrating its cars on the public roads in front of what will hopefully be a large number of fans once again.

2008 Provisional Calendar

17 – 18 May: Marseille, France
31 May – 1 June: Central Europe
14 – 15 June: Europe
26 – 27 July: Johannesburg, South Africa
16 – 17 August: Europe
20 – 21 September: Eastern Europe
25 – 26 October: Europe
November: South America
End of season final: Asia

Statistics of the ING Renault F1 Team Roadshow

Nearly two million spectators since the beginning of the programme in 2003.

300,000 spectators attended the demonstration in Mexico City in 2007, the highest number yet for such event. The cities of Seville, Lyon and Moscow are next up having drawn crowds of 250,000, 200,000 and 100,000 respectively.

Since 2003 there have been 14 demonstrations on four continents: Europe, Asia, and most recently in South America and Africa.

During a Roadshow, the ING Renault F1 cars can reach speeds of up to 250km/h. The security put in place during these events is always of paramount importance for ensuring the safety of the fans and the drivers. The location of the circuit and the position of the spectators are decided by various criteria, which are strictly followed by the team.

15 members ING Renault F1 Team are entirely dedicated to ensuring the success of this programme.