Age will be no barrier to success insists Alonso

FERNANDO Alonso insists age will not be a factor when he makes his Formula One return in 2021.

The double world champion’s comeback was confirmed yesterday by Renault. Alonso, who won back-to-back championships with the French team in 2005 and 2006, will celebrate his 39th birthday later this month.

He will also have spent two seasons out of the sport when he lines up for next year’s opener and could be the oldest driver on the grid if 40-year-old Kimi Raikkonen calls time on his career.

But speaking after his unveiling, the Spaniard said: “For many years in Formula One, the stopwatch is the only thing that matters, not age.

“I never had a race classification based on the passport, date of birth – always on the stopwatch.”

Alonso replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who is moving to McLaren at the end of the year. Australian Ricciardo is taking over from Carlos Sainz ahead of his switch to Ferrari.

Alonso has competed in 311 grands prix, winning 32 of them, but has not tasted victory in more than seven years and last stepped on the podium back in 2014.

Renault are struggling in the sport but Alonso will be hoping that an overhaul in the regulations and the introduction of a £115m-aseason budget cap in 2022 will fire them back up the grid. He will partner the Frenchman Esteban Ocon.

“I know only one team (Mercedes) will be winning in 2020 – and in 2021 probably – but I think the 2022 rules will hopefully bring some fairness to the sport and some close action.”