Formula One driver Fernando Alonso confirmed on his website Monday that
he has agreed a move to his former team Renault where he made his F1
debut in 2001 and became the sport's youngest world champion when
winning the first of his two titles in 2005.
"This is the team where I grew up as a driver in F1. Now it is time
for us to begin a new chapter together," said the 26-year-old.
"I am very excited about working with this great team once more,
and confident that together we can move back to the front of the
field."
Alonso, who left McLaren-Mercedes at the end of the 2007 season
after just one year at the British-German team, will be partnered by
former Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr who has been given the
other driving seat for the 2008 season.
Renault refused to confirm the length or financial details of the
contract but media reports stated that Alonso had agreed a three-year
deal worth up to 100 million dollars.
The French constructor wanted Alonso to sign a three-year contract,
but the driver only wanted to commit to one. Renault officials feared
he was only looking for a team to bridge the gap until he joins Ferrari
in 2009.
As a compromise, Alonso has apparently agreed a deal with a get-
out clause that potentially allows him to walk away in 12 months.
Following his controversial exit from McLaren in November, Alonso
has been linked to several teams, including Red Bull and Toyota but
picked Renault because "of their strong track record."
Two-time world champion Alonso finished third in the 2007
championship race behind former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton and
new world champion Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.
Renault also had a disappointing season in 2007, with drivers
Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella finishing down in seventh
and eighth, respectively, in the drivers' standing.
"We are delighted to be welcoming Fernando back home to the team where he enjoyed his greatest success," said Briatore.
"His abilities as a driver and a team leader are well known, and we look forward to forging another strong partnership."
Piquet's promotion from test to race driver means there is no place
for Finland's Kovalainen, who after just one season with Renault is
expected to move to either McLaren or Toyota.
Renault also named Romain Grosjeans of France as the team's new test and replacement driver.
