OFFICIAL: Alonso returns to Formula 1 with his old love Renault

The Formula 1 season in 2020 on the road yet, but Renault has already announced a new driver for 2021. Fernando Alonso will return to Formula 1 with his old love.

The hero returns

In 2002 Alonso entered Renault for the first time when it was still led by Flavio Briatore. As a test driver the Spaniard made a big impression and forced a seat for the 2003 season. That confidence paid off immediately, as he got two poles and also a brilliant victory in Hungary.

In 2005 and 2006 it went even better when Alonso was the first Spaniard and the first Renault driver to win two world titles. However, at the end of 2005 Alonso already made a deal with McLaren and announced that he will leave the team the end of the season. After he narrowly lost the championship in 2007 and a lot of internal struggles, Alonso returns to Renault iin 2008 for two seasons.

Disappointing sequel

However, the French race stable is deteriorating rapidly and can only help Alonso to a victory via the famous 'crash gate', after which the Spaniard left for Ferrari in 2010. However, at Ferrari and later again McLaren, Alonso was never able to win another title and he finally decides his career after five seasons without victory at McLaren.

Now, however, Alonso is back again. He has always said that he only returns in Formula 1 for a top team, but with Renault that doesn't seem to be quite the case. Renault managed to make steps up, but will really have to wait for the 2022 rules before it can really make a giant leap towards the top teams. However, Alonso hasn't missed this opportunity and seems to be keen to race again with the fastest racing cars in the world.