Fernando Alonso Was Worried His Text Message Would Jinx Renault’s Podium With Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo carried his Renault to the podium at Nurburgring for the first time since he joined the team in 2019. Future Renault driver, Fernando Alonso, who watched the entire race, revealed that he wrote a congratulatory message to the team. However, he did not hit the send button as he didn’t want to jinx things and waited until Ricciardo saw the chequered flag.

While speaking to Renault, the Spaniard revealed he had felt that sending a message to Renault before they actually got the podium might cause bad luck.

“Yes, absolutely. I was waiting for the last lap. I was so happy for everyone. I wrote the message and then had my finger on the send until Daniel crossed the line. I didn’t want to send it in case for luck reasons!” Alonso said.

Like Ricciardo, Alonso too had an eventful Sunday with Renault. He was part of the team’s filming day at the Circuit de Catalunya last weekend. The Spaniard completed 21 laps and 100kms as ruled by the FIA in the R.S.20, Renault’s 2020 car.

Fernando Alonso trolls Abiteboul over his tattoo

Alonso joked about his Team Principal sweating at the prospect of getting a tattoo. “I watch every race. I’m in the weekend even from a distance. I follow every lap. The podium was very well deserved,” Alonso said.

“I’m so happy for everyone. Cyril might be a bit worried for the tattoo but, other than that, it was a fantastic moment.”

Alonso was asked if he had become hungrier after Renault’s podium in Germany, considering Cyril Abiteboul called him a “hungry shark“.

“I’m still the same after Sunday. I know what the team is capable of and I know the prospects for the future are good. The podium is a thing that had to happen.

“The most important thing is to follow the trend that we see now, keep the momentum into next year, especially for 2022, and I think we know how to do it.”

Renault have witnessed a massive growth in both their qualifying and their race pace during this season. The team have also managed to bring at least one of their cars into the Top 5 frequently this year.

Alonso, who will join Renault in 2021, will be hoping that the team maintains the positive trend through next year as well.