Alonso to Return to Renault
11th December, 2007
The Renault Formula One team have announced that previous world champion Fernando Alonso will be joining them for the 2008 season. The 26-year-old Spaniard has signed a two-year contract after leaving McLaren last month. The well-documented strain between Alonso and McLaren had reached a point where the relationship was past repair.
A row between the driver and team boss Ron Dennis at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August sealed his fate. He was not happy about his status within the team, and threatened to reveal incriminating e-mails about McLaren's knowledge of confidential technical information belonging to Ferrari to governing body the FIA.
Alonso will be joined at Renault by the team’s former test driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, who will effectively be number two under the Spaniard.
The impressive Heikki Kovalainen is expected to move to McLaren or Toyota, after a successful rookie year at Renault.
Alonso said: "This is the team where I grew up as a driver in F1. Now it is time for us to begin a new chapter together. I am very excited about working with this great team once more, and confident that together we can move back to the front of the field. Renault had a difficult year in 2007, but I know that the team has real strength in depth. I am confident they can produce a fast and competitive car and be back at the top in 2008."
Briatore added: "We are delighted to be welcoming Fernando back home to the team where he enjoyed his greatest success. His abilities as a driver and a team leader are well known, and we look forward to forging another strong partnership. What's more, he knows the team well and how we operate; he will feel comfortable straight away in this environment."
Alonso is fourth favourite for the title at 8/1 with Bet 365.
