Get all the best car news, reviews and opinion direct to your inbox. Nearly two years after announcing his retirement from the sport, iconic driver Fernando Alonso has confirmed his return to Formula 1 in 2021. That prompted it to buy back the Enstone-based squad to run as a works team in 2016, although it has since struggled to match the top teams. “He will also bring to our team, which has grown very fast, a culture of racing and winning to overcome hurdles together. To get UNLIMITED FREE access, all you need to do is register. We are bringing a dream brand alongside the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by enthusiasts.". Renault DP World F1 Team within the Renault-Nissan alliance. Just click on the link in the email to confirm your sign-up (and check your spam folder just in case). Previous article. News. Alpine will also bring its values to the F1 paddock: elegance, ingenuity, and audacity,” said Luca De Meo, CEO Groupe Renault. Fernando Alonso will return to F1 in 2021 after a two-year hiatus with the Renault F1 Team Fernando Alonso will return to the Formula 1 World Championship … The squad achieved back-to-back championships with Alonso in 2004 and 2005 but slipped down the order before he left, and Renault eventually sold the team in 2010 in the wake of the Crashgate scandal. F1 Esports finale: Can Opmeer see off Red Bull’s dual threat? Our verdicts, 10 questions posed by Alonso’s Renault move. New Groupe Renault boss Luca de Meo said: "By introducing Alpine, a symbol of French excellence, to the most prestigious of the world's automotive disciplines, we are continuing the adventure of manufacturers in a renewed sport. Given the investment required to compete in F1, using the Alpine name suggests that de Meo has big plans for the brand. Alonso has agreed an initial two-year deal to return for a third stint at the manufacturer with which he won his 2005 and 2006 titles, and partner Esteban Ocon. Daniel Ricciardo could end his stint at the Renault Formula 1 team after just two seasons, team advisor Alain Prost confirming that any decision on a move rests squarely with the driver and not his employer. Fernando Alonso is convinced Renault “have all the ingredients” in place to have a successful 2021 Formula 1 season. Having achieved success in rallying in modified Renault cars, Jean Rédélé founded Alpine in 1954 and in the 1960s achieved success in rallying essentially running as Renault's works outfit. “I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s project. Renault started the 2020 season last weekend struggling at the bottom of the top 10, is unlikely to be more than fighting for best of the rest again in 2021. Team bosses recently signed up to Formula 1's new Concorde Agreement, the document governing the sport that kicks in from 2022, tying Groupe Renault to remaining in the category. The French manufacturer's F1 outfit, which is run from Enstone, Oxfordshire, will carry the name and colours of the revived sports car maker. There had been some speculation Renault was considering the future of the team it owned, given its continuing struggles to match the likes of Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull-Honda. Renault will rebrand themselves for the 2021 season as Alpine F1 Team, leaving behind the iconic yellow livery and the famous French name, although the … According to the latest reports from Motorsport-total.com, Valtteri Bottas is in touch with Renault over a potential deal for 2021. The Race has launched a huge Formula 1 Christmas gift giveaway competition that readers of our website can enter for free. Williams's 2020 yielded no points and another last place, yet the mood there is far from the doom and gloom of 2019 - and rightly so, Gary Anderson gives his verdict on all 10 Formula 1 teams' performances during the 2020 season in the latest edition of his podcast, As Yuki Tsunoda gives Japan an active Formula 1 driver to cheer for again, Edd Straw ranks every other F1 racer the nation has produced so far, While not directly comparable at this stage, Yuki Tsunoda's ability to overcome adversity and his rapid rise have Scott Mitchell thinking about likenesses with Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda will race for AlphaTauri in Formula 1 next season after Red Bull finally confirmed its Honda-affiliated protege will replace Daniil Kvyat, Glenn Freeman joins Edd Straw for a bonus F1 podcast on the rights and wrongs of Alonso's young driver test appearance where he was fastest. Renault has signed Esteban Ocon on a two-year deal, which will see the Frenchman at the Enstone outfit until the end of 2021. Double world champion Fernando Alonso has already signed to race for the team next year alongside French youngster Esteban Ocon. The two-time world champion has inked a deal with Renault and will be joining Esteban Ocon in the paddock. Update 7/8/20 8:30 a.m EST: Per a release from the Renault F1 team, Alonso has been confirmed as a driver for the 2021 F1 season. In 1967, Alpine built an A350 F1 car in response to a grant from the French government. Future of Alpine assured in Group Renault reorganisation, Renault's F1 boss on the 2020 season and title ambitions. It's also a significant move for the Alpine brand, which has only produced one car – the highly rated A110 – since it was revived by Groupe Renault in 2013. Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001 and his first spell at Renault began the following season when he had a year on the sidelines as its test driver, before replacing Jenson Button for 2003. Alonso took a sabbatical from F1 at the end of the 2018 season, having made his debut with Minardi in 2001. The Race has been stopped as you’ve reached your article limit for this month. Thank you for joining The Race community! Alonso added a second Le Mans 24 Hours win and clinched the World Endurance Championship title in 2019, a year after a debut Le Mans win alongside his final McLaren season, and made his Dakar Rally debut. Jul 8, 2020, 11:01 AM. Fernando Alonso will return to Formula One in 2021 after Renault confirmed the double world champion's signature. Related video. Read more . Renault also has a bright driver lineup in its Junior academy. Renault have a free seat for 2021 with Daniel Ricciardo joining McLaren as Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz’s replacement, and McLaren boss Brown revealed that he spoke to Alonso last week to find out if he’s going to return to the team where he secured his 2005 and 2006 F1 championships. Fernando Alonso signs with Renault F1 team for 2021 season. “The signing of Fernando Alonso is part of Groupe Renault’s plan to continue its commitment to F1 and to return to the top of the field,” said team boss Cyril Abiteboul. By: Jonathan Noble. Grosjean undergoes hand surgery to aid crash recovery. “His experience and determination will enable us to get the best out of each other to take the team towards the excellence that modern Formula 1 demands. The team has a plethora of young drivers waiting to rise through the ranks and make it to the big leagues. “The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I.”. Bottas’ contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season and the Finn could be heading towards the French team. “It is a bold mutual choice as well as a project for the future” :: Cyril Abiteboul. Renault originally entered F1 in 1977 and pioneered the use of turbocharged engines. “Alongside Esteban, his mission will be to help Renault DP World F1 Team prepare for the 2022 season in the best possible conditions.”. Fernando Alonso will return to the F1 grid next season, the Spaniard having agreed a deal to race with Renault in the 2021 season alongside Esteban Ocon. Renault has signed Fernando Alonso, who won the F1 title with the company in 2005-06, to return to the sport in 2021-22 and hope the pairing will bring success back to the company. 2020 Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix, Friday. The Renault F1 team will be rebranded as Alpine F1 for next season, as part of a major push for the performance brand. It has slipped back from its fourth-place finish in the constructors’ championship in 2018 despite significant infrastructure development since taking back control of the Lotus team that succeeded Renault’s previous works entry. “Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with my two World Championship titles, but I'm now looking ahead. Renault would certainly benefit from the arrival of Gasly as he would make a very strong number 2 to Fernando Alonso as the team seems to be making progress and even scored its first podium since returning as a works team to F1. All you have to do to be in the running to win one of the many prizes on offer is sign up to receive our regular newsletter - bringing you the best articles, videos and podcasts from The Race three times a week straight to your inbox. 12:26 Monday 4 May 2020 by Sam Hall. Official Partners. Renault in Formula 1. Why Williams’ first point-less season was a qualified success, Gary Anderson podcast: Judging each F1 team in 2020, Why Tsunoda’s Red Bull’s most exciting hope since Verstappen, Tsunoda gets AlphaTauri F1 seat, replaces Kvyat, Podcast: The rights and wrongs of Alonso’s test outing, Porsche to make top-class Le Mans return in 2023, F2 runner-up Ilott gets Ferrari F1 test role, Japanese Formula E race plans accelerating, Frank Williams admitted to hospital, in ‘stable’ condition, The true worth of Alonso’s controversial test revealed, Video: The questions raised by Ferrari’s start to testing, NASCAR: ‘Offensive’ Wallace backlash shows scope of problem, Indy 500 icon Paul Page to commentate on Legends Trophy. Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris have been confirmed as McLaren’s drivers for 2021, following the departure of Carlos Sainz to Ferrari. F1 chiefs finalising 2021 drivers with Hamilton yet to sign at Mercedes, Alonso back at Renault and Vettel with new team . In the 1970s, Alpine and Gordini were merged to form Renault Sport for an attack on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it also built Formula 2 and Formula 3 chassis (although they weren't branded as Alpines, because they didn't run Renault engines). “His presence in our team is a formidable asset on the sporting level but also for the brand to which he is very attached. But Ricciardo’s lack of faith in the Renault project and a driver market merry-go-round triggered by Ferrari axing Sebastian Vettel has opened the door for Alonso’s return, and given him the chance to bow out of F1 a second with more impact than his first goodbye. The two-time world champion left F1 at the end of the 2018 season after a four-year spell with McLaren, having grown frustrated with a lack of opportunities to break the stranglehold enjoyed by Mercedes but also Ferrari and Red Bull in terms of victories. Read more. ESPN understands the … To learn more about how we use the information you provide to us please see our, Renault to rebrand F1 team as Alpine for 2021, Bentley ready for hard Brexit as it lines up nine new launches for 2021. Sky F1's Martin Brundle reacts to the breaking news that Fernando Alonso is set to return to the sport with Renault in 2021. Fernando Alonso will race for the Renault F1 team in 2021, it has been confirmed. Renault has confirmed the signing of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso to replace Daniel Ricciardo for the 2021 season. Ricciardo is a free agent for 2021 Renault confirm. Seventeen of Alonso’s 32 F1 race wins came driving for Renault, and this will be his third stint with the team. Read more. Fernando Alonso will return to Formula 1 in 2021 after Renault confirmed the two-time world champion as Daniel Ricciardo's replacement.