Renault could announce as soon as Wednesday the return to Formula 1 of Fernando Alonso, according to a report from British newspaper The Sun.
The story alleges that Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul has informed the French outfit's team members that an announcement regarding the 2021 season was impending and involved a driver that has worked with the French manufacturer before.
In May, Abiteboul labeled Alonso "an option" to fill Daniel Ricciardo's vacant seat at Renault in 2021 although the Frenchman made clear that he was in no rush to make a call on the team's future line-up.
The prospects of Alonso's return to the grid were given a boost recently by the Spaniard's manager, Flavio Briatore, who said the 38-year-old was "detoxed, serene and motivated" after a year away from F1 and "ready to return".
However, while Alonso may have rekindled his motivation since leaving McLaren at the end of the 2018 season, few believe the two-time world champion would settle for a seat with a team that will likely remain a top-tier midfield contender next season at the very best.
Nevertheless, Renault would not be unknown territory for Alonso who won both his world titles with the Enstone squad.
And potential future teammate Esteban Ocon has already stated that he would welcome the 32-time Grand Prix winner to the team with open arms.
"I don’t know if he’s going to join or not, but definitely if he could come back, I would be very happy," Ocon said.
However, F1 veteran Mark Webber doubts his good friend Alonso would be spurred on by a partnership with Renault.
"He’s a racer, he’s missing it a lot, but what’s the focus?" Webber explained.
"Is he going to be loyal to a new regime and sign a two or three-year contract? Is it just for one, and four months in the team is looking for someone else? So, what’s the point?
"I’m not saying he couldn’t, but it would be very, very challenging for him to stay motivated for two years, in the middle of the field."
Regardless of whether Alonso returns to the fray or not in 2021, his immediate focus is on the Indy 500 which the Spaniard will tackle next month with Arrow McLaren SP to try and fulfill his ambition of becoming the second driver in motorsport history after Graham Hill to win the Triple Crown.
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