Fernando Alonso Set To Return To Formula 1

The world of motorsport is an interesting one. And this, not 48 hours after the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, in which McLaren’s Lando Norris scored his first Formula 1 podium and became the third-youngest driver of all time to stand on the podium.

While nothing is officially announced yet, thanks to Matt Porter with an inside scoop on this big news, Fernando Alonso appears set to return to Formula 1 in 2021 with Renault.

According to multiple news sites as well, including BBC Sport, the word is traveling fast and wide. The inside scoop that we at Supercars have managed to obtain is that the Spaniard has already signed and will be confirmed in a press release as early as tomorrow, July 8.

The return, and especially with Renault, is important for Alonso despite his leaving the sport in 2018 after a few dismal years at McLaren. Renault is where he scored both of his world championships, as well as a team he has raced for and partnered with throughout many years.

Alonso indy — Alonso appearing in 2018 with Arrows-McLaren Andretti Autosport in his second attempt to win the race.

Despite turning 39 later this month, Alonso has not sat on his laurels. He has won multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans races with Toyota, and races with Arrows-McLaren Andretti Autosport in Indycar, trying to win the Indianapolis 500 so that he can achieve the ultimate goal of any racing driver: the Triple Crown.

For those unaware, the Triple Crown is when a driver wins the Monaco Grand Prix (2006 with Renault), the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2018 and 2019 with Toyota), and the Indianapolis 500. To date, only one driver has ever achieved the feat, Graham Hill.

Alonso 24 hours of lemans — Alonso after winning the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota Gazoo Racing

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, and Fernando Alonso are the only three currently active drivers that have won two of the three events to win the crown and competed in all three.

Alonso will also join with Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen (40 years old) on his return as being amongst the oldest drivers in the current Formula 1 paddock.

The opportunity for Alonso to return with Renault was opened when current Renault star Daniel Ricciardo signed to move to McLaren in 2021.