Renault option for Alonso

Team principal paves the way for former world champion to return

Last updated: 3rd November 2007

Alonso: Speculation mounts

I have presented a project for the future to Fernando.

Flavio Briatore
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Former world champion Fernando Alonso has been offered the chance to return to Renault next season.

The 26-year-old Spaniard left McLaren on Friday after a controversial debut season with the Woking-based manufacturer.

And now the team where he won the 2005 and 2006 world championships has come calling.

Team principal Flavio Briatore has ruled out a short-term deal though insisting the driver would not be allowed to join Ferrari in 2009 should he sign.

Possibilities

"I have presented a project for the future to Fernando," Briatore told Gazzetta dello Sport's website. "If his desires coincide with ours, it can happen.

"I know how much he can still give Renault. But an agreement for one year would make no sense with an outlook projected for a period of time."

Red Bull's team are also in contention for Alonso's signature, but Renault's third place finish in the constructors standings may yet give Briatore's side the edge.

Alonso's arrival would free current Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen up to make the move to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren meanwhile.

The Briton acknowledges Kovalainen, Williams' Nico Rosberg and Spyker's Adrian Sutil are the main men competing to become his new team-mate.

"I know them all very well," he said. "I want a team player."