DECEMBER 2, 2002

Renault gets out of EU for F1 launch

Renault will launch its new Formula 1 car on Monday, January 20 in the Swiss city of Luzern in German-speaking Switzerland. The event will take place at the Luzern Kultur und Kongresszentrum, a vast modern building which overlooks the tranquil waters of Lake Luzern and the faded elegance of some of the lakeside hotels from the last century.

The location has been chosen to avoid the tobacco restrictions that exist nowadays in most European countries. Mild Seven has been confirmed as the team's major sponsors for another season.

Three days after the media launch in Switzerland there will be a second unbranded launch at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France, where the Renault R23 will run for the first time.

The team will be running Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso in 2003.