Alonso set to rejoin Renault this week

Monday 10th December 2007

Fernando Alonso's return to Renault is expected to be confirmed within the next 48 hours.

According to reports, the Spaniard has agreed a £70m, three-year contract. However, the deal contains an opt-out clause that would enable Alonso to leave the team in twelve months' time.

Alonso's return to Renault, two years after he left Flavio Briatore's outfit, became a likelihood when the team escaped punishment at last week's World Motor Sport Council hearing.

'It is a pleasing outcome for Alonso, who maintains his status as the second-highest earner on the grid behind Ferrari's world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, five weeks after being dismissed by McLaren,' says The Daily Mail.

After months of uncertainty and speculation, all the final pieces for the 2008 driver line-up are falling into place.

Nico Rosberg has committed himself to Williams, leaving Pedro de la Rosa the favourite to partner Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season.

However, Alonso's return to Renault puts a question mark against the future of Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella. With Renault also keen on promoting Nelson Piquet junior, both drivers could yet leave the team.

'Kovalainen has also been touted as Hamilton's next team-mate. He is the preferred choice of the Hamilton camp and is seen as a good team player who would not cause undue disturbance in the way the temperamental Alonso did,' reports the Mail.

'Kovalainen would appear to be in a two-way fight with McLaren's experienced test driver Pedro de la Rosa. A veteran of 72 grands prix over eight years, he represents the safe option and is popular within the team.

'As a Spaniard, he would also satisfy several of McLaren's sponsors, who stand to lose out from Alonso's departure.'

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