Fernando Alonso returns to Renault to begin work for F1 comeback

Fernando Alonso has made his return to Renault’s Enstone factory as he begins preparations to make his comeback to Formula 1 in 2021.

The two-time world champion spent the day at the team’s Enstone headquarters on Monday to meet his engineers and start to prepare for his eagerly-anticipated comeback next season following a two-year absence from the F1 grid.

Alonso was pictured wearing Renault clothing and was seen with Renault’s chief race engineer Ciaron Pilbeam as he made his way around the factory.

The Spaniard will replace the McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo to partner Esteban Ocon at Renault and complete the team's line-up for the 2021 campaign.

“An incredible thrill to go back to the factory,” Alonso tweeted.

“I came to Renault in 2002, when I was 21 years old, I know every corner of this place, every corridor, every door. It has been a very special day.”

Alonso won both of his world championship titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and has claimed a total of 17 race victories with the team.

He left to join McLaren for 2007 before returning to the French manufacturer for a second stint between 2008 and 2009.

Alonso has not raced in F1 since he left following the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after an unsuccessful stint at McLaren.

Renault is pushing to get permission from the FIA to allow Alonso to take part in the post-season test at Abu Dhabi ahead of his third spell at Enstone.

Suited and booted, back to Enstone to meet our engineering team!! Welcome back @alo_oficial, let’s get 2021 prep underway, shall we?#RSspirit pic.twitter.com/OXWFGYdywX

— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) September 21, 2020