Other than a reputation for leaving teams just as they are on the verge of recovering, over the years Fernando Alonso has also gained notoriety for being toxic, in terms of creating unrest and division wherever he goes courtesy of his politicking as well publicly criticising his employers.

Consequently, while many have welcomed the two-time world champion's return to the sport, many fear that his return to Renault will end in tears.

Not so, insists team boss, Cyril Abiteboul.

"It's a new Fernando, who will come to race in a new Formula 1," the Frenchman tells Sky Sports F1. "It's a different Fernando that we have today.

"The sport can be at times toxic," he continued, "in particular when you know, like he knows, that he's a fantastic driver and yet you have absolutely no chance to get even close to a podium. That's tough, that's very difficult.

"I've got nothing that I want comment about as I was not part of those teams, but he's been part of teams where there was also difficulty due to the fact they were not at the competitiveness levels that they wanted or projecting.

"So I think honesty, no political games being played or possible," he added. "That will be a test for our team.

"I can tell you, there are absolutely no politics in our team. We have a very strong management group. We are on a mission and I will make sure myself that it stays like that and we don't give an opportunity to anyone to play anyone against the other. One team, one mission and two fantastic drivers.

"He's got a smart and logical approach about the team's situation and about himself," said the Frenchman. "It's very clear that Fernando has a huge motivation after this break from Formula 1 to come back to the sport, a sport that he loves and with a team that he loves before. We've got this very strong link between us and probably deserve to have another go together.

"The sport is full of comebacks," he continued, "and I hope it will be one of the positive comebacks. It has been certainly discussed on a very honest basis, and I know that there is no wrongful expectation about what we can offer next year. But we all believe that 2022 is an exciting project for the sport, for the team and for himself.

"We have to keep on doing what we have been doing recently," he added. "He's been an accurate observer of our progression, but also the changes we've done more recently and the impact it's already had on the car we've developed this winter.

"So if we do another step like this one for the next winter, and another big step like that one for 2022, I think he will have what he wants and the situation will be nowhere near what it was when he was last at McLaren."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by BillH, 09/07/2020 18:29

"Beating your team mate is the first priority for anyone in F1 and that alone will create intra team competition and politics.
Mr Ocon needs to go see Mr Prost and get some lessons.

Seriously though, it will be good to see the driving talent of Alonso again and if Renault can keep their heads, then this could be a key step forward.

I'm not sure how not having a customer team to base performance on will affect PU development and that could be a weak spot, then again, back in the day Merc only supplied McLaren for years and that was OK, except for 2004."

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2. Posted by Rock Doc, 09/07/2020 14:36

"It's too early in the season to make a true assessment of Renault, but they did not impress in the last race. The mid field looks to be even more competitive this year. With huge improvements by Racing point and Mclaren Renault will have a tough season to stay in touch. There's a reason Ricardo jumped ship so soon."

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3. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 09/07/2020 13:44

"They'll only be successful if they paint the car primarily light blue. This has been the one factor of Alonso's success."

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 09/07/2020 13:16

"What a coincidence, teams improve after he's left. Lol."

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"He's changed," insists Abiteboul

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