Crazy, right? Or perhaps just returning to his spiritual home? Alonso took a sabbatical from F1 at the end of the 2018 season, having made his debut with Minardi in 2001. He said it was a sabbatical rather than retirement, but with his sights set on winning the Le Mans 24 Hours (he’s now done that twice, in 2018 and 2019) and the Indy 500 (he hasn’t managed that yet, retiring from the lead one time and failing to even qualify another), and time rolling on, a return to F1 seemed less and less likely. But it really is happening.
The two-time F1 champ grabbed both of his titles with Renault, the first in 2005 and the second in 2006, and, understandably, is pretty chuffed to be coming back: “Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula 1 with my two World Championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead.
"It’s a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my career and which now gives me the opportunity to return to the highest level. I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s project. Their progress this winter gives credibility to the objectives for the 2022 season and I will share all my racing experience with everyone from the engineers to the mechanics and my team-mates. The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I.”