Fernando Alonso comeback unaffected by Cyril Abiteboul Alpine departure

Alpine

Alonso comeback unaffected by Abiteboul Alpine departure

Alonso announced his return when Abiteboul was still in charge at what was then Renault

Ewan Gale

Saturday 10 April 2021 16:03

Fernando Alonso has insisted his comeback to Formula 1 with Alpine was never cast into doubt despite the winter departure of former Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

The Frenchman departed in a surprise reshuffle by Groupe Renault CEO Luca de Meo which also saw Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll leave his position, with Davide Brivio, Laurent Rossi and Marcin Budkowski taking over the workload at the rebranded outfit.

Despite agreeing to his F1 return when Abiteboul was at the helm, Alonso has reiterated his commitment to the team and explained he had no qualms over the ability of the new management.

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"It is true that last year Cyril was team principal and then [de Meo] has changed a bit the management and you just try to work the best you can with all your bosses and try to help the team as much as you can," said Alonso.

"I felt ok last year with Cyril, I feel very good this year with the structure we have, so I think if the changes were made by the president, there was a reason behind it and we all support that decision."

Alonso replaced Daniel Ricciardo to break his two-year sabbatical from the sport, having left the Australian's new team, McLaren, at the end of 2018.

The two-time world champion explained that the decision to rejoin the grid was made early in the year after discussions with de Meo and Abiteboul.

"I think the decision was made in about March or April, the last few conversations with [de Meo] and with Cyril," he added.

"So it was before the championship had started. I remember clearly from Australia there was this comeback.

"The whole paddock came back from Australia and then the start of the season was delayed until Austria and it happened at that moment. It was a time for me that I thought what could be my next challenge and F1 was the most attractive option."