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With Formula 1 press releases, teams often, even subconsciously, give away their worries by answering questions that were never asked.
Thus, Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul mentioned while announcing the signing of two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso as a Renault driver for 2021 (and 2022, if the reports are to be believed) that “we are convinced that he will be an outstanding team player” and “we have faith in his love for the sport and his loyalty to Renault.”
The only reason for mentioning these two points is the team was trying to preempt questions about why that aging superstar Alonso was the choice for the midpack team.
In many respects Alonso was the obvious choice: Despite his 38 years (it will be 39 in a couple of weeks), the Spaniard is still keen to be an F1 driver, even if there is little obvious evidence to suggest that he will be able to add to his total of 32 Grands Prix victories and his two championships that he won with Renault in 2005 and 2006.
It has been seven years since Alonso last won an F1 race—the Spanish GP of 2013—but it was clear, even in his difficult years with McLaren Honda between 2015 and 2018, that Alsono still had the fire and passion that is required to be a Grand Prix driver. He also has a huge amount of experience after 311 Grand Prix starts in 17 seasons.
One cannot fault Fernando’s ability, but the fact that he has only won two World Championships, the last being 14 years ago, tells the story of a career that did not deliver the results that perhaps it should have. This is why Alonso has been pursuing success in other championships in recent years, in order to leave an important legacy. Winning two F1 world titles is far from unique in the record books: 16 F1 drivers have done it, 10 of them going on to win three or more.
Some argue that Alonso has always been a flawed driver because his desire to win has often led to controversy.
Looking back to 2007 when he was at McLaren, the team was torn apart by his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. It is a long and complicated story, but in essence Alonso responded badly to being beaten by the novice Hamilton. This led to a showdown in Hungary where there was a dispute over what happened in qualifying, with Alonso blocking Hamilton in the pits, which earned him a penalty. It was during the row that followed that Alonso said things that effectively ended the relationship. He didn’t want to be there—and McLaren didn’t want him. The contract was terminated at the end of the year by mutual consent.
Back at Renault in 2008 there was further controversy in Singapore, where Alonso’s team-mate, Nelson Piquet Jr., deliberately crashed, a move which gave Alonso an advantage that allowed him to win the race. It all came to light a year later when Piquet was dropped by the team and went to the FIA and told them the story. Renault was investigated and did not contest the accusations, announcing instead that various people involved had departed from the team.
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in F1 who thought that Alonso was not part of the plan, because it made no sense to pit when he pitted before Piquet’s crash.
Things were not helped by his adventures with McLaren and Honda when he upset Honda so much with his comments about their engines that they subsequently refused to let him race a Honda engine at Indianapolis. And in the World Endurance Championship, although he won the title in 2018-2019 and took two victories at Le Mans, his contract was not renewed, amid rumors of a clash with team boss Pascal Vasselon. Alonso’s passion is such that it can lead to friction and controversy.
Future teammate Esteban Ocon says he is not worried about history.
“Fernando is a very cool guy,” he said. “He is very keen to come back and very keen to make the project move forward. He is very aware of what we need to do. I am very happy having Fernando as my teammate. Working with a legend like him will be a great benchmark for me.”
“Renault is my family,” Alonso said. “My fondest memories in Formula 1 were with my two World Championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead. It’s a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my career and which now gives me the opportunity to return to the highest level. I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s project. Their progress this winter gives credibility to the objectives for the 2022 season.
“I am sure of who I am today and what the prospect is,” he added. “I know how lucky I am to take a break in F1 and now come back.”
So is the Fernando Alonso of 2021 going to be a wiser and calmer individual?
Abiteboul clearly thinks it is the right choice.
“His presence in our team is a formidable asset on the sporting level but also for the brand to which he is very attached,” he said. “The strength of the bond between him, the team and the fans make him a natural choice. In addition to past successes, it is a bold mutual choice as well as a project for the future. His experience and determination will enable us to get the best out of each other to take the team towards the excellence that modern Formula 1 demands. He will also bring to our team, which has grown very fast, a culture of racing and winning to overcome hurdles together.”
Daniel Ricciardo—who is departing the team, opening the door for Fernando—said that he’s not surprised by the news.
“I knew there was a chance for him, but I really wasn’t sure,” he said. “He’s such a name and to return with a team and a brand that got him his titles is a good fit. It’s cool. The young guys are good, but they make me feel old and it’s good to have another old guy racing.
“He didn’t look like he has slowed down at all with age,” the Australian driver added. “It was pretty evident that he was getting the most out of the car.”
Time will tell …
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