Fernando Alonso returns to Formula 1 with his own team powered by Honda!

While McLaren brought in Renault for the 2018 season, Red Bull Racing entered into a partnership with the Japanese Honda engine for the 2019 season. The Austrian team saw that the Honda engine did well in the Toro Rosso and decided to take it up. Only two races after his departure from Formula 1, the penny drops in Fernando Alonso's mind as well. The Spaniard returns to the grid with his own team. Fernando Alonso Honda Racing!

With just two customer teams to deliver engines, Honda believed there was enough room for a regular customer like Alonso. “Certainly because he was always so enthusiastic about our products in the past, we couldn't say no. I mean, draw a comparison with the engine from the GP2 class; Who would not want that," Toyoharu Tanabe said from Honda about the new collaboration with the two-time world champion.

Alonso, who will become the team boss, believes he'll be able to get everything up and ready super quickly!

“I can't wait to finally compete in the top. Now that should really work since the engine has proven itself. We have had to wait a long time for this opportunity, but I think that from the Barcelona GP in 2020 we will have the real car on the grid," Alonso said.

Alonso has picked a strong driver line-up for his first season! Felipe Massa returns to the grid ( "It is an honour to be back under Fernando" ) and Stoffel Vandoorne immediately exchanges his seat in Formula E for a seat with the new team. "I can't wait to walk with Fernando so he can show me every corner of every job!"

The role of Racing Director is filled by Eric Boullier. Just like with McLaren, the Frenchman does not get real authority but does get the title and salary that matches the position. For every point the new team reaches, every employee in the factory will receive a Freddo chocolate bar.