Alonso: Renault gives me chance to "return to highest level"
Fernando Alonso says Renault has a credible plan for its Formula 1 programme that gives him the chance to “return to the highest level” in 2022.
Renault announced on Wednesday that two-time F1 world champion Alonso would be returning to the team in 2021, marking his comeback to F1.
Alonso won both of his world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, and will re-join for his third stint with the team, the most recent ending in 2009.
Since leaving McLaren at the end of 2018, Alonso had long-stated that he would only entertain a potential return to F1 if he had the chance to fight at the front and be competitive once again.
Alonso said in the team’s announcement that he was convinced by the plan Renault had for its F1 programme moving forward, giving him the chance to fulfil his wishes.
“It’s a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my career, and which now gives me the opportunity to return to the highest level,” Alonso said.
“I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s project. Their progress this winter gives credibility to the objectives for the 2022 season and I will share all my racing experience with everyone from the engineers to the mechanics and my teammates.
“The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I.”
Renault has failed to score a podium finish since returning to F1 as a factory team in 2016, and slipped from fourth to fifth in the constructors’ championship last year.
Daniel Ricciardo left race-winning outfit Red Bull to join Renault for 2018 as part of its plan to return to the front of the field, but will leave for McLaren at the end of this year.
Alonso has not scored a podium finish in F1 since the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix, with his most recent win coming for Ferrari in Spain one year earlier.
The Spaniard endured four frustrating seasons with McLaren that yielded no race finish better than fifth before walking away from F1 to explore interests outside the sport.
Alonso won the FIA World Endurance Championship title in the 2018-19 season with Toyota, claiming two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the process, and also took part in this year’s Dakar Rally with the Japanese manufacturer.
He is also scheduled to enter the rescheduled Indianapolis 500 in September with Arrow McLaren SP, having failed to qualify for last year’s race.
Share Or Save This Story
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Fernando Alonso Spotted Driving His $5.9 Million Lamborghini Hypercar Through Monaco
Fernando Alonso: F1 Hungarian GP an "important" lift for Aston Martin
The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Mick Schumacher crashes out of Markham IndyCar race after strong start
Formula E London E-Prix: Pascal Wehrlein takes second title despite zero points in season finale
DTM Nurburgring: Wittmann wins for BMW after AMG meltdown
Joey Logano is winning "4 the haters" amid 'Mickey Mouse champion' criticism
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments