Determined Alonso asks Renault to work on New Year's day
Determined Alonso asks Renault to work on New Year's day
Fernando Alonso is so determined to make his comeback a success he has asked Renault staff to join him at work in their Enstone factory on New Year's Day.
Alonso, who returns to Formula 1 next season following a two-year sabbatical, has already integrated himself fully into the workings of a team that is to be rebranded as Alpine next year.
The two-time F1 champion has made several factory visits, attended the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, while he will undertake a second test of the 2018 car in Abu Dhabi on November 15 and 16 following a recent outing in Bahrain.
Alonso's planning, however, is so far advanced he is already thinking about the car for 2022 when there is a major regulation change and the machinery will alter markedly.
Explaining Alonso's determination, executive director Marcin Budkowski said: “He is so motivated for next year and the years to come.
“He’s been at the factory to do some seat fittings and it was an opportunity to take him around the factory.
“We were in the wind tunnel and he said ‘So, you can’t run the '22 car at the moment?’ and we said we can’t do it because of the regulations. So he said ‘When can you start developing?’ So we said the first of January.
“He asked ‘Are you running on the first of January?’ We said, normally we don’t, but this year we might, but it’s New Year. So he said ‘Okay, we have to run on the first of January. I will come here and help you'.”
Alonso's ongoing preparation extends to his running of the 2018 car for numerous reasons as clarified by Budkowski.
“He hasn’t driven a [F1] car for two years and they are very fast cars and he needs to get back in shape, back in the rhythm of driving the car,” added Budkowski. “So he’s taking every opportunity he can to drive.
“It is useful to work with him on things like the steering wheel, his favourite button position, how he wants to be able to activate the different systems in the car, and practice the procedures.
“It seems simple, but the more we practice these things, the less we have to do in winter testing. And we only have three days of running for our two drivers in winter testing next year.”
Before you go...
Pirelli explain cause of Verstappen Imola blowout
Wolff "not cornered" by Hamilton contract talks
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 Sprint Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times as Mercedes struggle again
- 15 minutes ago
F1 Results Today: Chinese Grand Prix practice times as SURPRISE driver tops charts
- 3 hours ago
Another bizarre fire STOPS action at Chinese Grand Prix
- 10 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Hamilton and Ferrari chief had meals together years before 2025 signing
- 22 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 26 minutes ago
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
- 52 minutes ago
Related news
Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract
Alonso takes CHEEKY dig at Hamilton after signing F1 contract
Alonso hints at another EXTENSION to F1 career
Alonso in U-turn revelation on Aston Martin deal
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860