Breaking news
Formula 1
Renault confirms Alonso participation in Abu Dhabi test
The Renault Formula 1 team has officially confirmed that Fernando Alonso will continue preparations for his comeback by taking part in the young driver test two days after the Abu Dhabi GP.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Dec 3, 2020, 2:51 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
As revealed yesterday, permission for Alonso to join the test was granted by the FIA after lobbying by Renault for the Spaniard to be allowed to participate.
Read Also:
- Is Alonso wasting his time testing a 2018 Formula 1 car?
- Alonso gets FIA approval to take part in Abu Dhabi test
Previously he has only had a 100kms filming day run in the current car, along with extensive mileage in a 2018 machine.
The test was originally defined in the 2020 FIA sporting regulations as being reserved for drivers who had completed in no more than two grands prix, ensuring that it was for rookie drivers.
However, it has now in effect been opened up to drivers who did not race this year, with Sebastien Buemi expected to drive for Red Bull, and Robert Kubica for Alfa Romeo.
The decision has frustrated rival teams who believe that Renault will gain a sporting advantage by running Alonso, and giving him a chance to make a contribution to developing the car for 2021.
Teams are allowed to run two cars, and the second Renault will be handled by Guanyu Zhou.
Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul indicated that the team's consistent support for young drivers, including the Abu Dhabi outing for Zhou, helped to sway the FIA.
"We would like to thank the FIA and F1 for their acceptance of our test plans," said Abiteboul.
"Made in recognition of our commitment to young drivers throughout junior motorsport and to Fernando's own dedication to furthering the careers of young talents.
"Zhou has experienced the benefit of the Renault Sport Academy, having joined its ranks last year.
"He has worked hard and made a genuine contribution to the performance of the team through his work in the simulator and test programme. I am delighted he can drive the R.S.20 to complement his journey so far.
"For Fernando this will be the next step in his return. He has worked tirelessly to make sure he is as ready as he possibly can be for 2021.
"He wants to contribute fully – not just to the team, but to the fans and the sport he has missed in the past two years."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Steiner: Haas willing to “take a risk” on Mazepin superlicence
Next article FIA won’t relax impeding rules for Bahrain’s short lap
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 10, 2024
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 10, 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 10, 2024
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
More from
Fernando Alonso
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 3 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 d
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Latest news
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe