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The French manufacturer announced the
Spaniard's return on Wednesday, with the 32-times race winner
set to partner 23-year-old Frenchman Esteban Ocon at the team
that finished fifth last season.
The two-times Le Mans 24 Hours endurance winner and former
Ferrari driver, who turns 39 this month, secured his
championships in 2005 and 2006 and most recently raced for
McLaren in 2018.
"Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with
my two World Championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead," he
said in a team statement that did not say how long the deal was
for. .
"It's a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m
returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my
career and which now gives me the opportunity to return to the
highest level."
Alonso's third stint at Renault, after also racing for them in
2008 and 2009 after a fiery 2007 season with McLaren, closes
another door to four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel faces an uncertain future after Ferrari announced the
German would leave at the end of the year and be replaced by
Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who grew up with Alonso as his role
model.
Alonso will be the oldest driver in Formula One if Alfa Romeo's
Kimi Raikkonen, now 40, does not continue for another season.
"I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s
project," Alonso said.
"Their progress this winter gives credibility to the objectives
for the 2022 season and I will share all my racing experience
with everyone from the engineers to the mechanics and my
team-mates. The team wants and has the means to get back on the
podium, as do I."
The Spaniard's return had been the subject of mounting
speculation from the moment it was announced Australian Daniel
Ricciardo would leave Renault for McLaren at the end of 2020.
That created a vacancy alongside Ocon, who told reporters in
Austria last week that he would be keen to race alongside
Alonso.
With a typical touch of showmanship, Alonso flagged his move up
ahead of the announcement with a video on Instagram accompanied
by music to the 1980s Hollywood movie 'Back to the Future'.
Renault's decision to shun younger talent for a veteran who made
his debut with Minardi in 2001, when last weekend's Austrian
Grand Prix podium finisher Lando Norris was still a toddler, was
seen by some as a backwards step.
Others, however, welcomed the return of one of the sport's true
characters whose skill and passion ranks him among the all-time
greats.
"The strength of the bond between him, the team and the fans
make him a natural choice. In addition to past successes, it is
a bold mutual choice as well as a project for the future," said
Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
Formula One chief executive Chase Carey said the Spaniard's
return was 'great news'.
"He is an incredible talent and we can’t wait to have him back
on the grid in 2021," he added.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Jon Boyle and Christian
Radnedge)
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