Fernando Alonso has gone “back to school” by driving Renault’s Formula 1 simulator and having a seat fit on his first days at the team’s headquarters ahead of his 2021 return.
Two-time world champion Alonso will end a two-year absence from F1 next season, having signed up for a third stint at the team with which he won his titles in 2005 and 2006.
“Last time I was here the simulator didn’t exist” :: Fernando Alonso
His immediate focus after signing to race for Renault, which will operate under the Alpine name next season, was his preparation for the 2020 Indianapolis 500 with McLaren and Alonso had not expected to begin any serious F1 work before September.
In the build-up to the Russian Grand Prix, Alonso has visited Renault’s team facility at Enstone in the UK and also its engine division in Viry, France.
He spent two days at Enstone, which included a full day in Renault’s driver-in-the-loop simulator, a seat fit, engineering meetings and a windtunnel visit.
“A lot of things have changed,” said Alonso. “The simulator is new, the windtunnel has been updated, but a few things are the same. There are the same offices, the gym that I used to visit a lot.
“It was a like a first day at school, with lots of things to learn and get through, but it was very productive.
“I’ve followed a programme in the simulator, getting used to the car a little, testing the facilities – last time I was here the simulator didn’t exist.
“Then I had a seat fit and meetings with key people to understand the programme for next year. It was really just getting up to speed.”
Alonso always said he would not come back to F1 unless he found a motivating project that has the potential to fight at the front, having grown tired of running in the midfield with McLaren while the big three of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull dominated.
He has accepted that Renault’s position in the midfield, where it is currently behind McLaren, means he will have to be patient in 2021 and count on new technical rules in 2022 to help the team move up the grid.
However, Alonso says he has been encouraged by the team’s recent form, as Daniel Ricciardo (the driver he will replace) has finished fourth in two of the last three grands prix.
“I think the team is in good shape for the future,” said Alonso. “The last few races were encouraging for everyone, for myself too.
“To see Renault back in a competitive manner is a good thing for the sport and I’ve been delighted to see the improvements.
“We’ve still got a long way to go and the midfield is very tight but I think the guys have done an amazing job trackside.
“The last couple of races were very exciting to watch and I am looking forward to being back in the mix.
“I’ll now follow what the team needs from my side – some sim days, helping some weekends and being available for the team for anything they need.”
Alonso has not driven an F1 car since testing for McLaren in Bahrain last April and has not raced one since the 2018 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul had downplayed the chances of Alonso testing the team’s 2020 car this year but it is possible he will return to the Yas Marina circuit to drive in the post-season ‘young driver test’.
That is meant to be for drivers who have no started more than a couple of grands prix but exceptions can be made if the FIA grants permission.
“It’s been great to see Fernando back at the team in person,” said Abiteboul.
“He’s hugely motivated to have the best start possible. He wants to be very involved in the preparations.
“Spending three days at Enstone and Viry gave both sides the opportunity to restart those links and set the foundations at a very early stage, which will be critical to hit the ground running in 2021, a key year in our progress as a team.”
