Renault F1 and the Return of Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso.

38 years of age.

2-Time Formula One World Champion 2005 and 2006.

2-Time Le Mans 24 Hours Winner 2018 and 2019.

FIA World Endurance Champion 2018-19.

A racing record to be proud of. We always knew the possibility of a return was high. I certainly hoped we would see Fernando back in Formula 1. He has some unfinished business, and with Renault announcing to his return between the mesmerizing Grand Prix in the Austrian hills last Sunday, and the second-of-two Grand Prix to be held at the Spielberg racetrack this weekend; What more can we expect from this double-header? An FP1 drive? Who knows? 2020 has thrown us a few curve balls so far.

Perhaps, the most difficult race driver to understand. But then again, do we really need to fully understand Fernando? His mind works in a way very few others ever have done, or ever will. When he works his magic in a car, we are always blown away by his talent. Alonso never ceases to amaze. Even his most avid haters would admit this.

Hate is a strong word. It is such a strong word to use when discussing who or what we like and dislike. I believe it is a word we all use far too often. The complex genius of Fernando is something that has baffled onlookers, team mates, team bosses, and fellow drivers for almost 20 years. Without this mystery, he wouldn't be the driver, or enigma he is. I am glad he is the way he is. It all adds to the genius. His ability is unquestionable. His drive and ambition are clear. The opportunities he finds himself with are endless. So why all the dislike? Why all the hate? Is he that unlikable?

I understand the "Let the young talent have a chance" mindset. Sadly though, Renault do not have a natural leader to take Daniel Ricciardo's vacant seat, when he leaves the French outfit for McLaren next year. Esteban Ocon had a year out as Mercedes reserve driver. Guanyu Zhou has impressed in F2 but has no F1 experience to speak of. The last two Renault-contracted champions in a feeder series were..... Jolyon Palmer and Nico Hulkenburg in 2014 and 2010 respectively. Now, the latter is, I think, the driver most F1 fans, analysts, drivers and team principals feel the seat is most deserving.

Nico Hulkenberg has plenty of F1 experience. A consistent finisher, although no top-3 finishes in 10 years in the sport. Winning Le Mans in 2016 for Porsche is, and was Nico's main highlight since he joined the Formula 1 grid. Albeit, winning at the Circuit de la Sarthe is a very worthy highlight, a driver as talented as he is, should be getting better results than he showed in F1. Perhaps Nico Hulkenberg has had his chance to prove his worth, and he didn't deliver. Alonso's record speaks for itself, and with no young talent currently able to fill the seat, where else would Renault look? Vettel........?? 

Sebastian Vettel won four World Drivers Championships with Red Bull from 2010-2013, all of which were powered by Renault engines. Seb has form with the French marque, but has had a lacklustre 5 years at Ferrari, and his dream of emulating the great Michael Schumacher has not come true. 6 years Alonso's junior, he has plenty left in the tank, but has he lost his joie de vivre in an F1 car? Red Bull could be an option. Christian Horner says 'No....' Perhaps he may follow in Fernando's footsteps and take a 'Seb-battical'......

Joking aside, Alonso has signed on the dotted line, and Cyril Abiteboul, Renault F1's Team Principal has openly agreed that the team has had to take Fernando's personality and outspoken nature regarding performance and internal politics from his former employers, McLaren, into consideration. does "GP2 Engine" ring a bell? To be fair, that radio message was aimed more towards the down-on-power, and frankly, unreliable Honda engines of the time. I think anyone would have been frustrated by the lack of performance - perhaps voicing that opinion over the airwaves wasn't his finest moment.

Moving forward into the heavily revised 2020 Formula 1 season, Renault will hopefully give Fernando Alonso a chance to get back in the car in Free Practice sessions. He may even get a race drive towards the end of the year if Ricciardo gives up on his Renault career before too long. I cannot see Daniel doing that, but it's always a thought.

 

In all my years of watching Formula 1, there have been many shock headlines and news stories. This, for me, is one of the better ones. It gives the sport a boost, it throws many other questions into the hat, and it continues to shake next year's driver line-up up. I for one, cannot wait for the 2021 F1 season to start. Fernando back to Renault. Kimi back at Alfa Romeo (Sauber). Sebastian possibly back to Red Bull? Sensing a theme here....? But lets get through this year first.

Welcome back Fernando. Let's see what you've got!

What Day Is It?

Routine goes out the window, and the days seem to bear no resemblance or meaning. The television guide says its Wednesday - but it could easily be a Sunday for all we know. As it turns out, it is Saturday, and what most of us in the UK crave, what most of us need - is routine. 

No work for some of us. No sport to watch. No going out for food or a drink. No meeting up with our buddies. No real contact with our nearest and dearest. Everything we know and take for granted, has changed, or been taken away. No-one could ever have imagined that this would happen. The new normal begins. 

Facetime, Tik Tok, Zoom, and Houseparty have become some of the places we would arrange to see and talk to our family and friends. We use social media all the time - It has become a part of our DNA. It dazzles us with it's simplicity and reach. It consumes our every quiet moment. It runs our lives, both at home and at work, yet, even this doesn't feel normal. Technology has shown its true colours and its real power. It has made communication so simple, but, so much harder at the same time. Many of us have longed for human interaction, with close family and loved ones.

Although, personally, I have not been directly affected, I have witnessed the heartache and distress that the pandemic has caused. Many have been fortunate to have contact with others regularly, but many have lived lockdown, by choice or design, on their own. If anyone feels like a chat, or just to vent, my ears, mind and heart are always open. Please do not hesitate to connect.

Daily Government Briefings became an integral part of everyday life, and once-a-week at 8 o'clock on a Thurdsay, we joined together as one to clap, holler, and bang our pots and pans, and show our appreciation for the people we call heroes. Every single carer has done this country proud. Nothing we can do, will ever be enough to show our gratitude for all those seconds, minutes, hours, days and weeks that these carers, and key workers have dedicated to the cause, without pause for thought of their own wants and needs. We salute you all. We will be forever in your debt. Behind every statistic we have heard about, however, there are family, friends, and many more grieving. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those who have been affected. Through such sacrifice, we have seen such tremendous strength. 

Lockdown? Or Locked up? Is it basically the same thing? It would certainly appear so. I always felt that it would be straightforward enough, fun even, to sit indoors most of the day, stretching my legs for an hour or so. Not so. I suppose if we knew then what we know now, many of us, including myself, would have planned to do more. More focus. It became mundane, very quickly, yet I didn't see the bigger picture and I could have done more. We will not get this time back. Have you used this sustained period of (spare or extra) time wisely?

Edinburgh is a wonderful city. I have lived here all my life, and yet, found so many new and exciting places on my daily walks in the last 3 months. I am sure many others up and down the country would agree this is the same of their home towns. I ask anyone reading this to grab their phone and scroll through all their 'Lockdown Photos' and find one that reminds them of a peaceful time during this unprecedented situation. A positive personal connection with this period will confirm that you have remained strong, stood united with the world, and gained a positive through this challenging time. I have posted one photograph at the top, and one at the bottom of this post that remind me of such positive moments.

I know I am not the only one, but I almost don't want lockdown to end too soon. Perhaps I am a shade anxious after the devastation the invisible villain has caused. It is an immense relief that we are close to being free of the danger, however, there remains a very real threat in the coming months of a second spike. Hopefully, we have collectively done enough to suppress the virus sooner than first thought. The nature of the human mind adapts so quickly that we don't even realize how time has gone by. It is day 96 (I think) since lockdown began. Mother's Day, Easter, and Father's Day have all come and gone, not to mention all the Birthdays, Weddings and other celebrations that have been postponed or cancelled.

It has been so long since I have had to be anywhere. You would think that a three-month-or-so long holiday would be welcomed. In a way, it has. Still, it doesn't feel real. It almost feels like a fascinating piece of fiction. A Best-Seller. Nothing but a story. 

Seriously.

What day is it? Two years since my last post? Friday? Saturday? It is day 96 of lockdown as I write... I am supposed to be In Kos right now! It is/was the eve' of my baby sisters wedding. Not to be, sadly. Postponed a year. It will be a cracking day when it comes around in 2021. I cannot wait!! 

Anyway....

Not too long a monologue, more a thoughtful one. However, I can say that I have not mentioned the 'C' word once..... until the next sentence. The history books will show 2019/20 as being one of the toughest periods for human-kind. Coronavirus exists and we will come to understand it better and learn to control it and others like it in the future. If we remain united as a 7-plus Billion population planet, we have a fighting chance. As the Scotland rugby team's hashtag incites, we need to come together #asone, and beat the virus. Who knows? We may come out of this better people.

Together - We Will. 

#nhs #clapforcarers #savelives #asone #keepintouch #