Fernando Alonso open to Formula One return amid speculations of deal with Renault

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has said he is looking for a challenge "at top level" and is t ruling out a return to Formula One, amid increasing speculation he could sign for Renault. "I'm in great physical shape and my motivation is sky high, so I wanted to focus on a top-level category, be it return to F1, endurance championship, Indycar..." Alonso said in a video call with students at Real Mrid Gruate School-Universid Europea. Alonso, who won his two world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, quit Formula One at end of 2018 season.

Alonso open to Formula One return

Spaniard is a two-time winner of Le Mans 24 Hour endurance event and finished 13th in his Dakar Rally debut in January. He also plans to race at this year's Indianapolis 500.

"It was when I was searching for challenges and options for coming years that I decided to opt for Dakar venture," Alonso said.

"It was like tossing a coin and seeing how I could enjoy what's a really different car. It was a positive experience that I'm sure I'll do again in future." 

"(But) I think that my next challenge will be a top-level one because I still think that I'm at 100 percent to go out and do it," he ded.

Alonso, 38, has been strongly linked with a return to Renault after it was anunced last week that Daniel Ricciardo was leaving team for McLaren in 2021. Flavio Briatore, Alonso's long-time viser and former Renault team boss, said he believes Spaniard is rey to make a comeback. "Fernando is motivated. A year out of Formula One has done him good. He has detoxed himself and I see him calmer and rey to return," Briatore told Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

Im credits: AP