Alonso returning to F1, testing in Renault’s latest car today

Fernando Alonso, still left, with teammates Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma all through the Dakar Rally in January. (AP)

Double entire world champion Fernando Alonso mentioned he was all set for a refreshing begin as he examined the most current Renault Formula One particular car in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Spaniard, a two-occasions Le Mans 24 Several hours winner, has not competed in a grand prix due to the fact he still left McLaren at the stop of 2018 but is returning up coming 12 months as substitution for departing Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

“It is heading to be like a new commencing, receiving shocked about the pace of the car, the braking general performance, the corner pace, a large amount of items that will surprise me as soon as once again,” the 39-12 months-previous mentioned ahead of the restricted-mileage filming working day.

The check in the RS20 car arrived twenty years soon after Alonso initial examined with Benetton — the team that then turned Renault — at the identical circuit.

It will also be a single of his final opportunities to generate a Renault F1 car, with the team shifting identify to its Alpine athletics car model in 2021.

Alonso mentioned getting ready for the outing experienced been difficult by COVID-19 limitations, with less days in the simulator to regulate, but the run was really worth it.

“I know that I will learn, and I will explore a large amount of items all through people laps,” he mentioned.

Group boss Cyril Abiteboul mentioned soon after Sunday’s Eifel Grand Prix at Germany’s Nürburgring, the place Ricciardo finished 3rd for Renault’s initial podium due to the fact their return as a constructor in 2016, that Alonso was champing to return.

“We gained a message ahead of, all through and soon after the race,” mentioned the Frenchman.

“I imagine Fernando is like a huge shark. And as quickly as he starts to truly feel the blood he needs to assault. Which is what I see — I see a shark incredibly hungry.”

The Spaniard, who won his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, has competed in the Dakar Rally and Indianapolis five hundred due to the fact he was final in Formula One particular.