F1 Legend In Talks With Renault As He Is 'Ready' To Make Comeback In 2021: Report

Fernando Alonso’s main adviser, Flavio Briatore has revealed that the former champion is “ready” to make his comeback in F1.

Briatore reportedly has disclosed that they have had talks with Renault but both the parties are yet to make a final decision.

“Fernando is motivated. A year out of Formula 1 has done him good. He has detoxed himself and I see him more serene and ready to return,” Briatore said in a recent interview.

If the two-time champion is indeed planning to return to racing in F1, Renault is his only practical option. Last week, Ferrari announced they were parting ways with Sebastian Vettel at the end of the 2020 season and they have named Carlos Sainz as the German’s replacement to partner Charles Leclerc in 2021.

Even before the 2019 campaign has begun, a few teams have undergone a change in dynamics for the 2021 season.

McLaren have signed Daniel Riccardo as Sainz’s substitute for F1 2021. That means Riccardo’s seat as Esteban Ocon’s teammate at Renault is currently up for grabs for the next season.

A few reports earlier stated that Renault now would turn to Vettel but with Alonso’s availability, their decision-making process could get a bit complicated as both the racers are considered among the best in the sport.

In an interview with Italy's Gazzetta Dello Sport, Briatore also spoke about Vettel’s exit from Ferrari.

“In F1 it has always been about having the winning recipe. You must have one driver who is focused on the World Championship and the other who collects big points, snatching them from rivals. Vettel paid for the fact that a very fast boy arrived at the team. It surprised him and the team, as happened at McLaren with Hamilton [in 2007]. Two drivers at the same level in a team eventually risk-taking points off each other. [Sainz] is a good driver, and he had a good championship in 2019 if we consider the car he had available. The situation seems clear to me: Ferrari is betting everything on Leclerc and it is good because, as I had the opportunity to say last year, he is a future star,” added Briatore, who was a former boss of the Renault and Benetton teams.

Alonso left F1 in 2018 and is due to race at Indianapolis 500 for McLaren in 2020. He is aiming to clinch the Triple Crown of Motorsport. It is an unofficial achievement one clinches by winning three of the most prestigious motor races in the world – Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans and Indianapolis 500. While Alonso has two trophies each in Monaco and Le Mans, he is yet to win the Indianapolis and this year’s race will be Alonso’s third attempt to claim the title.