Alonso proud to have chance to return to highest level with F1®
Thursday, 9 July 2020
Renault confirmed Fernando Alonso will return to Formula 1® with the team in 2021.
Fernando Alonso is immensely proud to have the chance to return to the highest level with a Renault team the two-time world champion described as his "family".
Renault confirmed Alonso is to make his Formula 1® comeback in 2021 having left the sport following the 2018 season.
The Spaniard won his world titles with Renault in successive seasons in 2005 and 2006.
He returned to the team in 2008 following a tumultuous first spell at McLaren and, having spent recent years racing in the World Endurance Championship and competing in the 2020 Dakar Rally, Alonso is delighted to link up with Renault and have the chance to add to his 97 F1® podiums.
"Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula 1® with my two World Championship titles, but I'm now looking ahead," Alonso said.
"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.
“Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with my two World Championship titles, but I'm now looking ahead. It's a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team [...]" - @alo_oficial #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/H9tUKpr4OI
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) July 8, 2020
"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 team-mates.
"The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I."
Alonso, who will replace the McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo as Esteban Ocon's team-mate in 2021, has 32 grand prix victories to his name.
However, he has not recorded a podium since 2014 with Ferrari, having gone the entirety of his second spell at McLaren without a top-three finish.
Renault had no podiums in 2019 and finished fifth in the constructors' championship. Ocon finished eighth last weekend in the Austrian Grand Prix, which saw the 2020 season finally get underway following a delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
