Renault F1 Boss Confirms Fernando Alonso “Is an Option” for 2021

Renault F1 team principal Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that Fernando Alonso is an option for the team for 2021. However, Abiteboul maintained that Alonso was one among many options, which Renault is considering. With Fernando itching to return to F1 and Renault possibly opening its doors, could the double World Champion actually make a comeback?

Fernando Alonso on Renault’s radar

With Daniel Ricciardo heading towards McLaren, Renault desperately needs a driver who can fill Ricciardo’s shoes. As a result, the team needs someone who’s a race winner, experienced, and can lead the team through difficult times. Fernando Alonso perfectly fits this role and he’s almost a no brainer if you really think about it.

But there are a few factors that one must consider. Firstly, a driver of Fernando’s caliber doesn’t come cheap. The Spaniard will defiantly have a higher ask then what the team is used to. With the team in the midst of a financial crunch, a very expensive driver doesn’t seem like an option.

Assuming Renault and Fernando can sort out the finances, would Alonso actually join Renault? The Spaniard originally left F1 a frustrated driver after scrapping in the midfield over a few points. Would Alonso really return to the sport just to squabble over places that don’t mean much to him?

Moreover, Renault doesn’t seem like its making any monumental progress, otherwise, Ricciardo wouldn’t be leaving in such a hurry.

Nevertheless, Abiteboul revealed that Fernando was definitely a potential replacement. But he asserted that the team wouldn’t make any decisions until the season begins.  Speaking to RMC Sport, Cyril said:

“It can be a lot of pilots. There are beautiful pilots who will be available next year. The one you mentioned is an option. There are others,” said Abiteboul, when asked about Fernando.

“The only thing I can say is that we are going to take the time to reflect. This is an extremely important decision. We did not want to get into this kind of activism that there has been on the part of Ferrari and McLaren, for reasons that are theirs,”

” Frankly, to decide on a driver when the season has not even started … We found it a bit strange” concluded Cyril.