Fernando Alonso will make his Formula 1 return with Renault in 2021, and will embark upon his third stint with the team.
With plenty of options available to Renault, including four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel and a stable of junior drivers to pick from, the team decided to re-open the door to the driver with whom it won two world titles in 2005 and ’06.
Alonso, who will return to the grid next year at the age of 39 after two years away, has spent the intervening years racing for Toyota in World Endurance Championship.
He also contested the Dakar Rally in January, and will be making his third attempt at the Indianapolis 500 later this year.
Autosport’s technical editor Jake Boxall-Legge runs through the reasons why Renault eventually landed on Alonso, and how the veteran Spanish driver can possibly breathe new life into a stagnating team.