Fernando Alonso looks set to make a return to Formula One with Renault the most likely team to sign the two-time world champion.
Several changes have already been announced for 2021 and after current Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo was revealed as the replacement for Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz at McLaren, it leaves an empty seat at the French F1 team.
Alonso left F1 in 2018 but his manager Flavio Briatore, said that he is ready to make his comeback next season.
"Fernando is motivated. A year out of Formula 1 has done him good. He has detoxed himself and I see him more serene and ready to return," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Alonso's last stint in F1 was a barren four-year spell with McLaren where he was never given the chance to compete with the right car.
The 38-year-old Spaniard, who won the world title in 2005 and 2006, needs to have the right team-mate with him, according to Briatore.
"In F1 it has always been about having the winning recipe," he added.
"You must have one driver who is focused on the world championship and the other who collects big points, snatching them from rivals.
"(Sebastian) Vettel paid for the fact that a very fast boy arrived at the team. It surprised him and the team, as happened at McLaren with (Lewis) Hamilton.
"Two drivers at the same level in a team eventually risk taking points off each other."
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who told Sky Sports F1 that he spoke to Alonso recently, feels that returning to the team he won his two world titles with would be a great move for both parties.
"I think he’s undecided, and if I was running Renault, that’s who I’d put in the car: big name, fast as anyone, won two championships with them, so he’s got history," said Brown.
"But whether Fernando wants to get back to 22 races with a car that doesn’t look like it’s capable of winning yet?
"Given Fernando’s stature, what would get him to jump at a seat is if he thinks he can be at the top of the podium.
"Given that [Renault are] at the similar journey back to the front, and I think they’ll get there – they’re a great team, great resources, great company they’ve been there, done that before.
"I don’t know if Fernando has the appetite to go on a three-year journey versus getting in a car [in which] he can win in, in 2021."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
