Alonso at Renault? Hulkenberg would love it!

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Renault's Nico Hulkenberg says he would welcome the arrival of Fernando Alonso at the French team next year.

Yesterday in Montreal, Alonso said that he would only stay at McLaren next season if the team won a race by September, a very unlikely prospect.

With both Mercedes and Ferrari doors rumored to be closed, Alonso's only viable option to stay in F1 would be to return to Renault as a works driver.

But Renault Sport F1 boss isn't putting the Spaniard at the top of its priority list, admitting recently that he could bid for Alonso's services, but with conditions.

"I think it would be great," Hulkenberg told Speed Week.

Alonso: 'If we win by September, I will stay!'

"It would be great not only for the whole team, but for me as well to compete with one of the best drivers in the world.

"I could learn a lot from him and without a doubt Fernando would be a huge boost for the whole Renault project," he added.

Hulkenberg also said he was "very impressed" with how competitive Alonso was at the recent Indy 500.

"I think the example of Alonso at Indy and also my Le Mans adventure with Porsche showed that the driver level in formula one is very high," he said.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.