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Tung leads Renault reserve line-up

Renault has announced Ho-Pin Tung, Jerome D'Ambrosio and Jan Charouz as its reserve drivers for the 2010 season

Tung and D'Ambrosio are both products of the Gravity management organisation run by new Renault partner Gerard Lopez, and had been linked with race seats during the winter.

Chinese driver Tung has already driven for the team during last winter's young driver session at Jerez, and will be Renault's official third driver. The 27-year-old has GP2 experience and has been an A1GP and Superleague frontrunner. He also had a test outing with Williams in 2004.

"It's really a dream come true for me, but it's also the start of a new adventure," said Tung of his Renault deal. "In many ways everything starts from now.

"I want to make the most of being part of the Renault F1 team to learn as much as I can; to absorb everything around me and to become a better driver. But I also want to make a real contribution and whenever the team needs me, I will be ready to help.

"During my first test session with the team in Jerez last December, the engineers were impressed with my speed and the accuracy of my technical feedback. To gain their respect was always my main objective and I'm pleased I managed to do that."

He also acknowledged that his involvement could boost Formula 1's profile in his homeland.

"My new position with Renault is excellent news for Chinese sport," Tung said. "China is new to motorsport, especially Formula 1, even though there has been a Grand Prix in Shanghai since 2004. I hope that I can build on this base and count on the support of the many fans in China."

Belgian 24-year-old D'Ambrosio is a former International Formula Master champion and is aiming for the GP2 title this year in his third year in the series, having finished ninth in the 2009 points.

Charouz joins Renault having won last year's Le Mans Series LMP1 title with Aston Martin Racing. The 22-year-old Czech driver is returning to single seaters this year and has already lined-up a drive with the P1 team in Formula Renault 3.5.

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