Alonso is Back?

Two-time Formula One World Champion, Fernando Alonso will make his grand return to F1 with Renault in 2021 after only two years of retirement from the sport! The return of Alonso has brought mixed reactions amongst Formula 1 fans. There is debate on whether the empty space left by driver Daniel Ricciardo, who is moving to McLaren at the end of the 2020 season, could have been filled more appropriately.  

Pic: skysports.com/f1

There has been a wave of support for the return of the Spanish driver. Big faces in Formula 1 have been expressing their excitement for Alonso's return. Carlos Sainz, driver for McLaren, showed his support, posting a photo of the two holding Spanish flags on Instagram and Twitter with the caption “Un grande está de vuelta (A great one is back)/ Welcome Back”. Esteban Ocon will also be thrilled to have the Spaniard by his side next year. It is known that when Esteban was asked who he would prefer as a teammate between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, he stated he would love to partner with Fernando as he as a good relationship with him. It is also known that Esteban Ocon was the only driver in 2018 to swap his helmet with Alonso, proving the two have great respect for each other and will hopefully share this as teammates.

Pic: formula1.com

Despite the excitement, there has also been a lot of disappointed Formula One fans after Renaults decision to have Fernando Alonso return to F1 with them. There has been a lot of animosity from F1 fans towards Renault after failing to use their driver academy again to bring up a new driver for 2021. Many people have expressed their frustration around this as many believe that it was Renaults time to use their driver academy, full of drivers who have so much potential and waiting to be given a moment to shine, over Fernando Alonso who has had an opportunity to race and even become a World Champion in F1. We feel that for Fernando Alonso's critiques and experience to benefit Renaults fight back up the grid, the F1 team should have waited until 2022, where the new regulations would come into play. They could've then had the Spanish driver help them for a year in the new regulations before standing down to let one of Renaults young drivers from their academy to take his place on the grid.  

What do you think of Alonso’s return?

Let us know @fs_formulas on Instagram!

See you next Send It Saturday!

Sach & Soph

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