Fernando Alonso returns to F1 at Alpine F1 after a two-year absence from the sport. The return of the 39-year-old two-time world champion means that there is no place for talents such as Guanyu Zhou and Christian Lundgaard. Hence the question of how tenable the Renault academy still is.
Renault chooses Fernando Alonso
Alonso returns to the team with which he became world champion in 2005 and 2006. Renault has a large presence in F1. Besides the titles in 2005 and 2006, they also supplied engines to Red Bull Racing during their glory years. Since 2016, Renault has been back on the grid as a works team and they have the ambition to go for titles again.
In the evolution of Renault in F1, the team will enter a new chapter in 2021. Renault will become Alpine F1, profiling itself as the sporting arm of the French Renault group. With an eye on victories and titles, the team thinks it would be a good idea to bring back former world champion Alonso.
Renault takes a swipe at its own junior team
The statement for the GPblog readers is as follows: By contracting 39-year-old Fernando Alonso, Renault has given its own junior team a pat on the back.
With the retention of Esteban Ocon and the appointment of the Spaniard, the opportunity for F2 talents Guanyu Zhou and Christian Lundgaard, who are making a strong impression in F2, to get a chance in the premier class of motorsport, was lost. Do you agree with the statement and does this mean that Renault is cutting itself off?