Formula 1: Fernando Alonso tipped to return with Renault in 2021
By Asher Fair
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso is reportedly set to return Formula 1 with Renault alongside Esteban Ocon in 2021.
Following several months of rumors sparked by two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso stating last December that he may look to return to the sport in the 2021 season, it has been reported that he will make that return after all.
After having been linked to several teams, most notably Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren, the 38-year-old Spaniard is reportedly set to sign a two-year contract to drive for Renault, where he has already spent two stints throughout the first 17 seasons of his career.
This deal is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
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Alonso, who retired from Formula 1 after the 2018 season, competed for Renault from 2003 to 2006 and then again in 2008 and 2009. He has won 32 races, the most recent of which being the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and he earned 16 of those victories driving for the team. He also won his two championships driving for them in 2005 and 2006.
Alonso is set to join Esteban Ocon as the replacement for Daniel Ricciardo next year. Ocon signed a two-year deal with the team ahead of the 2020 season as the replacement for Nico Hulkenberg while Ricciardo is currently in the second season of his two-year deal after making the shocking decision to leave Red Bull Racing.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic-delayed 2020 season, Ricciardo signed with McLaren to replace Carlos Sainz Jr. for the 2021 season, as Sainz signed with Ferrari to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Alonso previously competed for both teams.
While Alonso’s supposed move to Renault had been rumored, it comes as a bit of a shocker given the previous comments of Renault team managing director Cyril Abiteboul. He had hinted on multiple occasions that the team wanted to look toward the future and pair a younger driver with Ocon moving into 2021 and beyond.
These comments were made both when discussing the possibility of the 30-year-old Ricciardo extending his deal with the team and when discussing the possibility of the 33-year-old Vettel replacing him after losing his ride with Ferrari.
Alonso is set to be the second oldest driver in Formula 1 next year, assuming 40-year-old Kimi Raikkonen extends his deal with Alfa Romeo Racing. The next oldest driver is 35-year-old Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.
This deal means that Renault Sport Academy and Formula 2 drivers Guanyu Zhou and Christian Lundgaard will have to wait at least another season to compete at the sport’s highest level. In fact, given that Alonso’s deal is supposedly for two seasons, they may have to wait at least two more.