Renault says Fernando Alonso’s wish to focus on 2022 means there are no concerns about his commitment next season.
Last week, it was announced the double world champion would be returning to Formula 1 for a third stint at the French manufacturer after two years away, competing in other events like the WEC, Indianapolis 500 and Dakar Rally.
His comeback though is a surprise to some, after Alonso, who’ll turn 39 later this month, became frustrated with the state of today’s F1 during his final years stuck in the midfield with McLaren.
However, commenting on the process that led to the agreement, Renault advisor Alain Prost claimed the Spaniard showed more desire to return.
“There were the three great champions: Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas,” he told France’s RMC Sport.
“It was a little less obvious for Sebastian in the sense that his motivation was not very clear. It was also difficult for Valtteri in that he has the best car.
“We wanted someone who is not a replacement option, but someone who is fully motivated for the project.”
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And as for any fears the combative Alonso of old may return and potentially become a negative for Renault as opposed to a positive…
“This is a subject that I raised with him,” Prost added. “Frankly, this is the risky side, but he talks about it openly.
“He says that he has changed a lot and that his sabbatical years have matured him. In a way, he knows that he has no right to disappoint on this level.”
The man reason why Renault is confident they can survive what is likely to be a tough 2021 for Alonso back in the upper midfield though, is his wish to see the team back at the front when the delayed technical regulations are introduced the following year.
“I think with Fernando he knows Formula 1 inside out on-track and off-track,” said team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
“Just to give you one idea of the things he can bring, he’s got this capability in building a plan, building a strategy, not just for the race team but also for the whole Formula 1 programme.
“So, to give you an example, for him, it’s all about 2022. He almost has no interest in 2021.
“He will be racing with us in 2021 so you could think he has an interest in making sure we are as competitive as we can but actually he’s saying, ‘Look guys, forget about 2021’.
“Not that we are not going to be decent, but it’s all about ’22.
“And this sort of thinking, this ability to have this experience that in Formula 1 you build success years in advance and by sacrificing the years before, it has happened every single time in the history of Formula 1.
“That is the sort of philosophy that he can bring which is extremely helpful for me as a manager of the team, but for lots of people bringing a little bit of calm in the team is useful.”
