USA Today via Reuters
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IndyCar Series driver Fernando Alonso during the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy : REUTERS
USA Today via Reuters
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IndyCar Series driver Fernando Alonso during the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy : REUTERS
Fernando Alonso’s move to the all-new Alpine F1 for 2021 was recently announced. In a series of moves to build-up to his expected return, Alonso made his way to the Renault factory.
In his latest tweet, he described how it felt to return to the place where all the magic happens. And even after two decades, he remembers everything.
His tweet read, “An incredible thrill to go back to the factory. I came to Renault in 2002, when I was 21 years old. I know every corner of this place, every corridor, every door. It has been a very special day. We started.” (translated from Google Translate)
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Una emoción increíble volver a la fabrica. Llegué a Renault en el 2002, con 21 años, conozco cada rincón de este sitio, cada pasillo, cada puerta…
Ha sido un día muy especial. Empezamos 💪. @renaultf1team pic.twitter.com/B618EBXC21
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) September 21, 2020
Fernando Alonso enjoyed a stellar career
After initially joining as a test driver from Minardi F1 in 2002, Alonso got his golden chance to prove his mettle in 2003. But it was the 2005 season, that saw him rise to fame as he clinched the Drivers’ Championship. In 2006, he repeated this feat again – only just nudging ahead of Michael Schumacher to win the title.
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After stints with Ferrari and McLaren, during which he enjoyed a lot of success as he clinched the runner-up honor thrice with the former, Alonso left F1 to race in the IndyCar Series for 2019 and 2020.
And now, for his last dance, Fernando Alonso returned to Renault to rekindle some of that old spark and magic we know he is capable of producing.
Alonso back before 2021 winter testing?
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Such is Alonso’s excitement to get started that Renault implored the FIA for special permission to let the Spanish driver take part in the young drivers’ test. In addition, Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that they wanted Alonso in Abu Dhabi’s post-season test.
He had previously stated, “Yeah, absolutely. We need to see if it can happen based on the testing criteria. So we are talking with the FIA about that.” The next obvious step after the factory visit, is for Alonso to let Renault know about what he expects from the 2021 car. And with the way developments are taking place at all levels, next season could be an exciting one for all those associated with the French manufacturer.
