Alonso Rejoins Renault
Formula One: Following his acrimonious departure from McLaren, Fernando Alonso has returned to the team that made him world champion.
Fernando Alonso has unsurprisingly returned to Renault following a personally traumatic season with McLaren.
Alonso has opted to rejoin the team that made him world champion in 2005 and 2006 next season, finally ending speculation regarding his future. The move comes in the wake of motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, deciding not to punish Renault for their role in the spy scandal, despite finding them guilty of fraudulent conduct.
Alongside Alonso for 2008 will be Nelson Piquet Jnr, who has been promoted from his role as test driver, with team principal Flavio Briatore ditching Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.
After Nico Rosberg signed a new contract with Williams over the weekend, thus ruling himself out of a move to McLaren, it is now likely Kovalainen will join Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based team.
"I am delighted to be returning to Renault," said Alonso. "This is the team where I grew up as a driver in formula one. 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."
Alonso has opted to rejoin the team that made him world champion in 2005 and 2006 next season, finally ending speculation regarding his future. The move comes in the wake of motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, deciding not to punish Renault for their role in the spy scandal, despite finding them guilty of fraudulent conduct.
Alongside Alonso for 2008 will be Nelson Piquet Jnr, who has been promoted from his role as test driver, with team principal Flavio Briatore ditching Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.
After Nico Rosberg signed a new contract with Williams over the weekend, thus ruling himself out of a move to McLaren, it is now likely Kovalainen will join Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based team.
"I am delighted to be returning to Renault," said Alonso. "This is the team where I grew up as a driver in formula one. 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."
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Fernando Alonso, a Spanish World Champion
- Renault Closer to Signing Alonso for 2008 Season
- Benítez Counting the Cost of a Gamble Gone Wrong
- Benítez Loses Torres and Alonso As Pressure Mounts
- Spaniard in the Works
- Formula One: Mclaren Stun Motor Sport By Signing Alonso From Renault
- Two Races Gone and Alonso Admits Renault Have No Chance This Year
- Alonso Propels Renault Into Fresh Title Assault
- Alonso Celebrates Return to His First Love After Disastrous Affair
- Renault to Raise Funds for $20m Alonso Deal
- Alonso and Brawn Set to Join Red Bull Dream Team
- Alonso Severs Ties With Mclaren
- Dennis Sets Timeframe for Alonso Decision
- Alonso Has His Say As Youtube Video Threatens Hamilton's Title Hopes
- Alonso Has His Say As Hamilton's Title Hopes Are Hit By Driving Charge
- Alonso Keen to Be Rid of Hamilton As a Team-mate
- Hamilton Feels Strain of Life With Enemy Within
- McLaren Drop Their Appeal Against Lost Hungary Points
- Alonso 'threatened to Expose Mclaren' If Not Made No 1
- Alonso Closes on Hamilton After Ferrari Are Humbled