6 Nov 2008

Alonso and Piquet to stay with Renault

6:42 am on 6 November 2008

Fernando Alonso and the Brazilian Nelson Piquet will be still be Renault's drivers in Formula IOne next season with the Spaniard extending his contract for another two years,

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

The Spaniard Alonso had been expected to stay, although his decision to sign for two more years is 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 the young French driver Romain Grosjean.