We have known for a few months now that Fernando Alonso will drive for Renault next year, or rather for Alpine, which will be the name of the team with the diamond logo.
The Spanish driver, double world champion in 2005 and 2006, has not driven single-seaters since leaving McLaren at the end of 2018. The new single-seaters are larger and have different aerodynamic loads. It was therefore preferable for the Spanish driver to be able to drive a recent single-seater before conducting private winter testing with the 2021 version.
Alonso has already participated in test sessions in recent weeks but each time with a 2018 version of the Renault, except for about twenty laps in Barcelona as part of a promotional event. Indeed, the FIA does not allow private test sessions during the season with cars less than two seasons old.
Alonso will be accompanied by Zhou Guanyu, a Chinese driver currently 8th in the F2 standings with 1 win and 5 podiums.
« Zhou knows the benefit of being part of the Renault Sport Academy program since he joined us last year. He contributed to improving the team’s performance through his work in the simulator and testing programs. I am happy that he can drive in Abu Dhabi. »
« Regarding Fernando [Alonso], this will be the next step in his return. He has worked tirelessly to be ready for 2021. He wants to contribute fully to the team and not only: for the fans and also for the sport in general, which has missed him these past two years. »
The FIA has announced that drivers who have competed in more than two races in 2020 should not participate in its young driver tests. Therefore, Sainz should not be eligible to drive for Ferrari, where he has been transferred for the next season.
Note that Renault and Alonso will also drive the world champion R25 with the V10 engine in 2005 in Abu Dhabi as part of a “historic” show.
