Signing Alonso a "no-brainer" for Renault

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes it is "a no-brainer" for Formula 1 rivals Renault to sign Fernando Alonso.

Alonso, who won his two world titles during his first stint with Renault in 2005 and 2006, is being heavily touted to fill the void within the team that will be created from 2021 following Daniel Ricciardo's departure to McLaren.

Brown naturally knows Alonso well from their time together with McLaren in F1 prior to the Spaniard's retirement from the sport at the end of 2018, as well as the team's ongoing Indy 500 pursuit.

"I spoke with him the other day, I was kind of poking around. I think he is undecided," Brown told SkySports F1.

"If I was running Renault, that's who I'd put in the car - a big name, fast as anyone, won two championships with them, so he's got history.

"So from a Renault perspective, I think he is a bit of a no-brainer to put in."

Brown, though, has suggested that given Renault's current position in F1, Alonso may be unwilling to return to a team that is still not in a race-winning position after four years back in the sport.

"But whether Fernando wants to get back to 22 races, and with a car that doesn't look like it's capable of winning yet," added Brown.

"I think given Fernando's stature, what would get him to jump at a seat is if he thinks he can be on the top of the podium.

"So given that they're on a similar journey back to the front - and I think they'll get there, they're a great team, great resources, great company that's been there, done that before - I don't know if Fernando has the appetite to be on a three-year journey versus getting in a car he can win in in 2021."

Before you go...

Is Alonso again willing to dedicate his life to Formula 1?

Will Hamilton be made to regret offering advice to Russell?

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 News Today: Kimi Antonelli makes history, F1 star given medical update after huge crash

• 9 minutes ago

Haas F1 announce Ollie Bearman medical update after terrifying 300kph Japanese Grand Prix crash

• 48 minutes ago

F1 Results Today: 2026 Japanese Grand Prix times and positions

• 1 hour ago

F1 star's crash leaves George Russell fuming: 'Unbelievable'

• 1 hour ago

Mercedes F1 stunned after McLaren lead Japanese Grand Prix

• 2 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton arrives at Japanese Grand Prix side by side with A-list celebrity

• 2 hours ago