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Renault: "We can't offer Alonso a race winning car"

Published on 23 May 2017 16:48
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso has stated his intentions to climb into a race winning car in Formula 1 next year, with his name being linked with Mercedes and Ferrari. There have also been reports that Alonso could return to Renault for a third time.

Renault advisor Alain Prost has stated that the team are unlikely to produce a car of race winning qualities until 2020. This leaves the future of the Spaniard in Formula 1 under scrutiny, as many fail to see him extending his current deal at McLaren.

"Fernando wants to win races or championships," Prost told Sky Sports News HQ. "I don't think we can offer him a car to be world champion next year - and also maybe in two years."

Alonso claimed his two world championship with Renault back in 2005 and 2006, but since their rebirth over a year ago, they have been far off the pace of the frontrunners. After just five rounds of the 2017 championship, Renault sits 147 points behind leaders Mercedes, highlighting how far Renault has to climb in order to be thinking about race victories again.

"We have to be very realistic," Prost continued. "I have been in this business for almost forty years and l know how difficult it is going to be. We have to be really careful about that. We want to progress but we cannot have stupid objectives only because Fernando would be there."

With Mercedes seemingly happy with the Hamilton/Bottas partnership, Ferrari is really the only realistic chance Fernando has for race wins next year, unless Honda pulls off a miracle in terms of speed and reliability. Would the Maranello based team be willing to place Alonso and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel alongside each other? And would the Spaniard be willing to return after already spending five years there, finishing 2nd in the championship on three occasions.

Fergal Walsh

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804

There's no way Vettel will go to Merc

1
May 24 2017 - 09:37

F1 News Fernando Alonso Valtteri Bottas Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Renault Ferrari Mercedes McLaren Honda

Replies (7)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I think he'll stay at McLaren, He doesn't want another deal aimed at a long term. Ferrari won't be interested in him
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- May 23 2017 - 18:29
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  Never say never. If Vettel looks Merc. way, Ferrari doesnt have too many options to pick 2 good drivers. RIC + ALO, RIC + BOT , ALO + BOT, GRO + RIC.
  + 0
  
  May 23 2017 - 21:43
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  There's no way Vettel will go to Merc
  + 1
  
  May 24 2017 - 09:37
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, I dont think thats likely. Vettel has spent two years building Ferrari around himself, now he will want to reap the benefits.
  + 1
  
  May 24 2017 - 15:27
Sirhenry

Posts: 759
Hahaha, like this year, Renault still has the weakest engine...and we al clap our hands : Renault send Ilmor away...dumb French
- + 0
- May 24 2017 - 23:11
Sirhenry

Posts: 759
Reanult only talks, can't deliver...
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- May 24 2017 - 23:16
boudy

Posts: 1,168
Alonso "Choices"
Ferrari : No, not after he left the team like that.
Merc: No, they have seen what he did with Ferrari/mcLaren
RedBull: No, that would mean their driver academy isn't working
Williams: Possible;Unlikely seem to be on the down turn
Force India: Possible;Unlikely not in the market for driver like Alonso
Renault: Possible;Unlikely consider where the team is currently
mcLaren: Most likely; However will Honda get this new breed of powerplant right?
Sauber: Starter driver team, noty even thinking about podiums yet.
Haas: Possible, but will Alonso have the desire, might aswell stay with mcLaren
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- May 25 2017 - 12:24