Renault has pooled an incredible (US) $90 million to try to woo Fernando Alonso back to the French team in 2008 and 2009, according to reports.
The Spanish newspaper Diario As also claims that Flavio Briatore, who is still waiting to hear from his 26-year-old former protege about the offer, has convinced one of McLaren’s sponsors to re-defect to Renault next year if Alonso also returns to the team.
‘As’ said Movistar, a Spanish mobile brand owned by Telefonica, and BBVA, a Spanish banking group, are eager to be associated with Alonso’s second Renault tenure, following a meeting in Madrid on Monday.
Insurance firm Mutua Madrilena, meanwhile, wants to switch back to Renault with Alonso, but is understood to be under binding contract to McLaren for 2008. Ron Dennis said recently that none of his team’s sponsors are contractually linked with specific drivers.Home of Sport
The 20 minutos website is quoting a source close to Fernando Alonso saying that the Spanish Formula One driver is close to signing with the Renault team for next season.
As previously reported the key to the decision seems to be whether the Renault boss Fabio Briatore will accept a contract for just one year, which would then allow the driver from Asturias to move on to Ferrari in 2009 if he wanted.
The latest reports indicate that if Renault say no, then Alonso will be driving for Toyota next season. TypicallySpanish
On the face of it Renault is in the running but we have also heard that Fernando is not very keen to go back to the team. BMW has two drivers under contract and shown no obvious interest. Red Bull Racing has the sort of money needed and would probably like to have a big name but it is not clear whether Renault - Red Bull’s engine supplier - would be keen to see the customer team with such a strong contender.
It seems unlikely.
Williams is not really in the running as the team seems now to be settled for next year and there does not seem to be any truth in rumours that Alonso and Nico Rosberg might swap drives. GrandPrix.com
Red Bull Racing have played down talk of former world champion Fernando Alonso joining the Milton Keynes-based team after his spilt from McLaren last Friday. Reports have suggested the Spaniard is set to join along with former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn to form what some people are calling a dream team alongside Adrian Newey, who joined the Tilbrook-based team last season.
However, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, has moved to quell mounting speculation by insisting that both current drivers are contracted for 2008. Russell Barder & Robin Auchterlonie, MiltonKeynes.co
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