Alonso: I’m going back to my ‘family’

FERNANDO ALONSO says he is rejoining ‘family’ after Renault confirmed his return to Formula One with them next year.

Alonso, 38, has been out of the sport since he appeared to bring down the curtain on his F1 career 18 months ago. But the Spaniard, who won world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, is coming back.

Alonso replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who is moving to McLaren at the end of the year to take the seat of Carlos Sainz Jr, who is heading to Ferrari.

Alonso said: ‘Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with my two world championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead.

‘It’s a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my career. The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I.’