Alonso to Return in 2021

[Willy]

I just read that Alonso will be driving for his old team Renault in 2021. No idea how long a contract he will have but for the one season he has a seat.
I'm not sure this is a great move for him.
Ferd is getting a tad long-in-the-tooth for F1 and if you look at the age of the grid it appears to be getting younger all the time. I'm not saying he does not have the skills but we have seen more than once a retired driver return only to spend a couple of seasons filling up the back rows of the grid and quietly retiring once again.
I know Ferd still has the desire to compete and the skills to be a great racer but maybe the elusive Indy 500 podium is a better option as he has F1 and Le Mans under his belt already.
Based upon recent success, Renault does not have the cars they had when he won two championships with them and he will be frustrated to languish at the back.

[Andy B]

It didn't work for Schumi!

[John S]

Are they paying him - or is he paying them?   

[Alianora La Canta]

This makes me sad. Fernando is not going to enjoy Renault's situation, and I see no reason that Renault are magically going to improve. Which means he's going to be frustrated out of his mind and Renault will just distract themselves again.

[Jericoke]

Are they paying him - or is he paying them?   

Maybe it is a step towards taking over the Enstone team.  Renault is constantly reminding us that they're 'dedicated to F1', but maybe they'd like to go back to being just engine suppliers without having to deal with the bad press of abandoning a team.  Alonso comes in, becomes part of the team again, and then just, takes over.

[Dare]

I see a unhappy event in someones future. I think he
should have seeked a Indycar career

[lkjohnson1950]

I agree. I think he would have been successful in Indy Car. I can't see him as competitive in Fi, unless Renault has a miracle breakthrough with the new rules.

[Andy B]

I feel for Lando as FA is known to be disruptive.

[lkjohnson1950]

Lando or Ocon? Did I miss something?

[John S]

Now that would be a funny team, Nando & Lando. 

I some ways I wish it was, I believe young Lando is as capable of humbling Alonso just like Leclerc has managed with Vettel.

In F1 the stop watch matters, always has and I hope always will. 

[cosworth151]

Maybe it is a step towards taking over the Enstone team.

That could well be. If so, he might want to call up Alain Prost, Aguri Suzuki or Sir Jackie about their experiences in that area.

[Monty]

Happy to see Alonso back in F1 but I do not think he will change Renault's fortunes. He is good; one of the best; but he is not better than Riciardo and if anything, his track record of 'divide and conquer' within teams may even put them back a few steps.

[Willy]

As Jeri mentioned, it may be the first step to become team principal for a rebranded Renault team. Something I had not considered. (Unless I miss her point)
I do not feel Riciardo is on a level with Ferd as Monty suggests.
I feel Alonso has the ability to take a team to a higher level as his two World Championships show and he will raise the bar for a team, but a car that is only so good can only get you so far.

[Jericoke]

I agree. I think he would have been successful in Indy Car. I can't see him as competitive in Fi, unless Renault has a miracle breakthrough with the new rules.

No offense to my American friends, but if I had to choose between being in the USA and anywhere else in the world in the immediate future, I'd choose 'anywhere else' too.

I was surprised he didn't go for a full IndyCar season earlier, but I'm not surprised he wouldn't do it now.  I would love to see him race IndyCar, both just to see him race, and for the prestige it would bring IndyCar, which needs some help.

[Monty]

I do not feel Riciardo is on a level with Ferd as Monty suggests

You may be proved right but we are talking about Alonso in 2021. He hasn't raced in F1 since 2018; hasn't won an F1 race since 2013. You do not lose raw talent but it does fade. Riciardo has experience, is recognised for being able to drive even bad cars fast and is still in the ascendancy. He still can't get the Renault near the front of the grid. I honestly do not think Alonso will be any better.