Signing Fernando Alonso a "no-brainer" for Renault

Renault

Signing Alonso a "no-brainer" for Renault

But McLaren CEO Zak Brown is sceptical the Spaniard will return to the team

Ian Parkes

Sunday 17 May 2020 12:35 Updated: 16:53

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.

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"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."

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