Renault confirm development drivers

Lucas di Grassi, Romain Grosjean, and Ben Hanley will all remain involved with the scheme for another year, while 18-year-olds Dani Clos and Nelson Panciatici join the line-up.

The most famous graduate from the scheme is Heikki Kovalainen, who will make his Formula One debut this year with the Renault F1 Team.

Di Grassi has already been a part of the programme for three years, and after a difficult year in 2006, the Brazilian will be expected to challenge for the GP2 title this year with reigning champions ART.

"I am extremely lucky to be part of the RDD programme," he said. "I gained a lot of experience last season and I will use it to prove my worth in GP2 in 2007."

Grosjean will compete in the F3 Euro Series for a second year, but like di Grassi, the Frenchman is moving to the reigning champions as well, as he prepares to be part of the ASM line-up.

Hanley was a surprise addition to the 2006 RDD line-up considering he had only been racing cars for one year, but he will be hoping to challenge for the World Series by Renault title with Prema Powerteam this year.

Clos will graduate from Formula Renault to the F3 Euro Series with Signature, while Panciatici will compete in Formula Renault for a second season in the Eurocup and the French series.