Fernando Alonso vuelve a la Fórmula 1 de la mano de Renault / Fernando Alonso to return to Formula 1 with Renault in 2021

El asturiano regresa a la categoría máxima del automovilismo dos temporada después de su retiro temporal. Esta sería su tercera etapa en la escudería francesa.

By EFE

El español Fernando Alonso volverá a competir en el Mundial de Fórmula 1 en 2021 y lo hará de la mano de Renault, con la que ganó sus dos títulos mundiales -2005 y 2006. Esta será su tercera etapa en la escudería francesa.

El asturiano decidió marcharse de la F1 al concluir 2018, acumulando 17 temporadas en la categoría reina del automovilismo con un balance de dos títulos mundiales, 32 victorias, 22 poles y 97 podios. Un retiro temporal que, como anunció Renault este miércoles, concluirá el próximo año.

Alonso sustituirá al australiano Daniel Ricciardo, quien ya anunció su marcha a McLaren para ocupar el puesto del español Carlos Sainz después de que este firmase un contrato por dos temporadas para vestir de rojo Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso to return to Formula 1 with Renault in 2021

Fernando Alonso is set to return to Formula 1 with Renault next year.

The Spanish two-time world champion, who will be 39 later this month, has signed and will be confirmed soon, sources have told BBC Sport.

Alonso will return to the outfit with whom he won his World Championships, and for whom he has already driven twice during his career.

He left F1 in 2018 and is due to make a third attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren in August.

A spokesperson for Renault said the team “declined to comment on rumours”.

Alonso will partner Frenchman Esteban Ocon and replace Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who is moving to McLaren at the end of this season.

Why is he coming back?

When he left the sport, Alonso said he was doing because he had more than I dreamed of and it’s time to achieve bigger things outside F1″.

But Alonso is known to have been in talks with Renault since November last year, and in May this year his adviser, Flavio Briatore, said he “motivated and ready to return to F1”

Insiders say they believe his time away from F1 has reminded him that no other motorsport comes close to the level of satisfaction possible at its pinnacle.

But Alonso will have to accept he is unlikely to be competitive straight away. Next year, teams will have to use the same cars as in 2020 as a result of a rule change introduced because of the coronavirus crisis, and the Renault was a midfield car at the season-opening race in Austria at the weekend.

Alonso will hope the new technical rules being introduced in 2022 in an attempt to close up the field, as well as a budget cap on teams, will enable Renault to compete close to the front.