Amid Renault Rumors, Manager Reveals Fernando Alonso Is Ready to Return to F1

Fernando Alonso’s manager, Flavio Briatore revealed that the Spaniard was ready to return to F1 next season. As silly season engulfs F1, many reports suggest Alonso is close to making a comeback in Formula 1. Briatore believes Fernando Alonso is “detoxified” and “more serene” after spending time away from the sport.

Fernando Alonso: Is a comeback on the cards?

With Daniel Ricciardo moving to McLaren and Carlos Sainz shifting to Ferrari, Renault has a big void to fill. With Ricciardo departing, the French team is losing its star driver and the man whom they considered the team’s future. According to many reports, Renault is seriously considering Alonso as a potential replacement for the vacant seat.

Alonso has special ties and some fond memories with Renault. He won both his World Championships with the French team and has spent a considerable amount of time at Renault. However, the Renault of today is light years apart from the team that broke Ferrari’s winning streak in F1. Championships aside, Renault isn’t even close to getting podiums, let alone race wins.

Resurrecting a team to its past glory is a long, tedious, and frustrating journey. One that Alonso endured with McLaren before ultimately walking away from F1 in 2018. But does the Spaniard miss the sport to the extent where he’d be willing to slug it out with a midfield team?

Briatore believes he’s ready

According to his manager, he’s ready to return. However, Briatore didn’t mention a team or acknowledge the Renault rumors. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Flavio said:

“Fernando is motivated, a year out of F1 has done him well,”

“He has detoxified, I see him more serene and he is ready to return.

“We hope he can make his return, but we have to wait for the development of the coronavirus. I think they made the right decision to quit, but now we really have to start again.”

In Renault’s case, they’d be more than willing to sign Fernando if given the chance. With most top drivers sticking to the bigger teams, getting Fernando is almost a no brainer. However, the French team also needs to check its finances as a double World Champion of Alonso’s caliber doesn’t come cheap.