07-07-2020, 05:13 PM
Fernando Alonso set to sign with Renault F1 team from 2021 season. (Full story Autosport)
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso is set to make a sensational return to Renault, with a two-year deal expected to be announced as early as Wednesday.
Alonso raced for Renault in 2003-06, winning the F1 world championship in the last two seasons, before returning to the team in 2008-09.
While much has changed at Renault over the past decade there are still many people at Enstone who know him well from his previous stints with the team, including veteran sporting director Alan Permane.
He will also be reunited with current Renault technical director Pat Fry, with whom he worked with at both McLaren and Ferrari.
With Daniel Ricciardo leaving Renault at the end of the season to join McLaren, following Carlos Sainz Jr's move to Ferrari to replace Sebastian Vettel, Renault had been assessing its options to partner Esteban Ocon for 2021.
Last week team boss Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that Renault had been talking to "big names", although he declined to elaborate on the prospects for Alonso.
"We need a quick driver, and we need a driver that can understand and buy into Renault's project," he said.
Morini's gonna be Soo pleased....
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso is set to make a sensational return to Renault, with a two-year deal expected to be announced as early as Wednesday.
Alonso raced for Renault in 2003-06, winning the F1 world championship in the last two seasons, before returning to the team in 2008-09.
While much has changed at Renault over the past decade there are still many people at Enstone who know him well from his previous stints with the team, including veteran sporting director Alan Permane.
He will also be reunited with current Renault technical director Pat Fry, with whom he worked with at both McLaren and Ferrari.
With Daniel Ricciardo leaving Renault at the end of the season to join McLaren, following Carlos Sainz Jr's move to Ferrari to replace Sebastian Vettel, Renault had been assessing its options to partner Esteban Ocon for 2021.
Last week team boss Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that Renault had been talking to "big names", although he declined to elaborate on the prospects for Alonso.
"We need a quick driver, and we need a driver that can understand and buy into Renault's project," he said.
Morini's gonna be Soo pleased....
"When a man holds you round the throat, I don't think he has come to apologise"
Ayrton Senna on Nigel Mansell, SPA 1987.
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