Alonso confirms return to Renault

11 December 2007

MADRID – After months of speculation, rumours and denials, two-time world champion of Formula 1 Fernando Alonso announced yesterday that he will be returning to Renault for the next two seasons. The deal will be worth EUR 16 million a year for the 26-year-old driver.

The move comes after Alonso’s tempestuous year at McLaren, which saw him fall out with team boss Ron Dennis when the Spaniard was not given preferential treatment over his rookie team mate, Lewis Hamilton.

Both Alonso and Renault boss Flavio Briatore will be hoping that having the driver back in the team will mean a return to their winning ways – it was at Renault that Alonso won his two Drivers’ Championship titles in 2005 and 2006, also taking the team to victory in the Constructors’ Championships.

[Copyright EL PAÍS, SL./ S. HUNTER 2007]

Subject: Spanish news