The rumor was running since few months. The double world champion Formula 1 Spanish Fernando Alonso will regain the premier class of motorsport within the Renault "from the season 2021," after two years of absence, has confirmed the team in a press release Wednesday, July 8, 2020. The duration of the contract of Alonso, who will be 39 years old on the 29th of July, is not specified. It is only indicated that it " joined Renault DP World's F1 Team for the upcoming season ".

His withdrawal inglorious end of 2018 in the premier class of motor sport after a series of campaigns, with disastrous McLaren had not a taste of epilogue. The 24 Hours of le Mans, the Dakar rally, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Spaniard showed his love always keen motor racing and his desire to recover the F1. But still, it was necessary to find a steering wheel. Placed by rumor at Red Bull and Ferrari, he is ultimately going to be hosted by Renault next year for the reunion very media.

" Renault and this is my family, these are my best memories in F1 with my two World Champion titles, but I look before. It is for me a source of immense pride but also a great emotion to find this team [...] "- @alo_oficial #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/wa7zl3EjJR

— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) July 8, 2020

"the strength of The link between him, the team and the fans makes it a natural choice," explains his future boss Cyril Abiteboul. Beyond past successes (the drivers titles and constructors in 2005 and 2006, editor's NOTE), it is a mutual choice bold as well as a project to write the future. ""It will also bring to our team, which has experienced a very rapid growth (since his return to F1 in 2016, ED) culture of the race and the wins to overcome all the obstacles," adds French. With the Australian Daniel Ricciardo departs for McLaren, the team at diamond was looking for a driver with experience to assist the young French hope Esteban Ake.

"Best memories"

For the native of Oviedo, Renault does not offer certainly not as much chance of immediate success that Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari, but the manufacturer announced in may that he would stay in F1 in the long term, with the purpose of come back on the highest step of the podium. "Renault, this is my family, these are my best memories in Formula 1 with my two world champion titles, but I look to the front," said for his part Alonso. "I have convictions and ambitions in line with the project of the team. Their progress this winter lends credibility to the goals of the season 2022, and from my side, I will bring all my racing experience to share it with everyone, engineers, mechanics, team-mates. The team wishes to and has the means to find the podiums, me too. "

With 17 victories between 2003 and 2008, and the titles of world champion in 2005 and 2006, as he was nicknamed, the Bull of the Asturias is known that the French brand is capable of, especially with a new financial regulation for the F1 in 2021, which could equalize the variances. Known for his sometimes shady, Alonso is considered one of the best drivers of his generation, who would have been able to win more than two titles. A difficult year at McLaren in 2007 alongside Lewis Hamilton on the rise, and then five more frustrating at Ferrari before a return inconclusive in McLaren then in full decline, have only just embarked on his reputation.