Fernando Alonso has revealed he turned down an offer from Renault to return to the team before announcing he will leave F1 at the end of the year.
Having disclosed to Sky Sports F1 that he rejected two approaches from Red Bull to drive for the team next season – although Red Bull have subsequently denied making any such offer – Alonso also confirmed he also received an approach from Renault.
Alonso has twice before driven for the team, winning both of his world championships in 2005 and 2006 as a Renault driver, but it’s likely Renault’s most recent approach came before Daniel Ricciardo’s bombshell decision to join for 2019 alongside Nico Hulkenberg.
“I had the possibility of joining Renault and going back to my two championship team having my last years with my second family there,” Alonso told Sky Sports F1.
“But it was difficult to get the challenge there, fighting for the top six or top ten, compared to the challenges l can get outside of F1. It’s no secret that the triple crown is attractive to me. Those are a little bit more attractive at the moment.”
Stroll launches self defence
With a switch to Force India for Lance Stroll in likely place of Esteban Ocon for 2019 or earlier one of the biggest talking points in F1 following the takeover of the team by the Canadian’s father, Stroll Jr has come out fighting in the wake of fresh questions surrounding the merits of his F1 candidature.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Stroll says: “I won championships and races and earned my super licence to get to Formula 1. Of course, I was very fortunate to be in the position I was in, but at the same time I delivered. I think I deserve a bit more credit.”
He added: “If he takes me to Force India, that’s his choice, and I understand that for Esteban, that might not be great or fair. But I think that I deserve to be recognised more for the results I’ve achieved. I wanted to get that off my chest.” (Full story – external site)
Norris to be given another Practice One run
After debuting in first practice at Spa, British teenager Lando Norris will have another opportunity to impress for McLaren in Practice One this weekend at the Italian GP.
