He's back! Fernando Alonso will return to the F1 grid next season, the Spaniard having agreed a deal to race with Renault in the 2021 season alongside Esteban Ocon.
Alonso departed Formula 1 at the end of the 2018 after a four-year spell with McLaren that was undermined in the first three seasons by Honda's inability to deliver a reliable and performing power unit.
Racing in the thick of F1's midfield, the dismal period of lack of success eroded the Spaniard's motivation and led to a change of scenery.
Alonso ventured into other motorsport territories, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours twice with Toyota, tackling the Indy 500 and sampling the off-road desert spaces of the grueling Dakar rally-raid.
But Formula 1 remains unfinished business for the 38-year-old who returns to a team with which he shares a strong historic and emotional bond, Renault and Alonso winning their two world championships together in 2005 and 2006.
"Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with my two World Championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead," said Alonso.
"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.
"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."
Renault and Alonso did not state the duration of the latter's deal with the manufacturer, but the Spaniard's comments on the sport's new rules that will be introduced in 2022 hint at at least a two-year contract.
"I think with the new rules the sport will finally put the driver back in the centre of the performance with more fairness between the teams and a better show on the track," he said. "I am ready. I’m back."
After a first stint between 2003 and 2006, a second between 2008 and 2009, Alonso thus returns for a third time to Renault.
Will the third time be a charm for Alonso? Time will tell…
“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
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