Daniel Ricciardo says Fernando Alonso doesn’t need to do any practice runs in his car this year before he takes his place at Renault for the 2021 F1 season.
Renault confirmed yesterday Alonso will return to them next year, prompting speculation he could make an early comeback in a pre-race practice session.Asked in today’s FIA press conference whether he’d be willing to let Alonso drive his car, Ricciardo laugh: “No!”
“I heard the words: ‘help Fernando Alonso’: He doesn’t need any help. It doesn’t look like he’s slowed down at all with age.
“His last season in F1 was a pretty strong one from everything I heard and saw. Obviously the results weren’t always there but as far as getting the most out of the car, I think that was pretty evident that he was. So I don’t think he needs help.
“I don’t know if he’ll be track-side at a few races or what as far as him sitting in on meetings and getting feedback, absolutely no worries. But I’ll do as much driving as I can.”
Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul said yesterday a practice outing for Alonso was “not the plan” but a test run in an older car might be arranged.
“We have always the possibility of running him in a 2018 car again. To be confirmed: We don’t have any firm plan.”
Alonso won his two championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. Abiteboul is keen to bring him back to the team’s chassis factory once he is able to travel to Britain.
“He will at some point get into to our factories to get to meet the team,” he said. “He knows some members of the staff, some people are new. “I think it’s quite an opportunity that he has some time in advance of next year to get familiar with the team, the way that we’re working.
“Also he would be a boost for the staff motivation and a lot of the people who’ve joined in particular Enstone who were maybe students or at school when Fernando won his first title with us.”
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Tango (@tango)
9th July 2020, 15:46
Let’s translate : “I do not wish to help alonso, are you nuts ?”
ColdFly (@)
9th July 2020, 15:53
If I think about it, it is a bit like a triple seat swap between Alonso, Sainz, and Ricciardo. This could go on forever.
HR (@hiperr)
10th July 2020, 6:06
@coldfly Isn’t it a quadruple seat swap with Vettel, Sainz, Ricciardo and Alonso? And a bit like musical chairs, somebody is left without a seat when the music stops.
HUHHII (@huhhii)
9th July 2020, 16:08
What he means is that practice runs won’t save Alonso. Ocon will out-qualify and out-pace Alonso without any trouble even if Alonso had all the time in the world to practice.
Sameer Cader (@)
9th July 2020, 16:15
Lol… Good one mate.
“I love your sense of humour”
There’s a better chance of my 80 year old grandmother winning a grand prix than that happening…. Haha @huhhii
HUHHII (@huhhii)
9th July 2020, 16:24
@sam-cader So basically your grandmother is better driver than Alonso. Completely plausible claim. Maybe you should ask her to call Renault. They could get a faster driver right away.
ColdFly (@)
9th July 2020, 16:24
Unfortunatelly, @huhhii is known for his deep hatred against Alonso (allegedly because Fernando beat Kimi).
It’s getting a bit boring though.
I certainly won’t invite him to my party.
HUHHII (@huhhii)
9th July 2020, 18:41
@coldfly I have a grudge against Alonso because he is a well-known whiner and a very lucky 2-time WDC winner. 0-1 WDC would do justice for him. 2014 Ferrari was designed based on Alonso’s wishes and Kimi’s and Alonso’s driving styles are so far away from each other that making any claims based on that season is laughable. I have no doubt had they stayed team mates Kimi would’ve beaten Alonso fairly easily in 2015, but we all know Alonso didn’t cope with the pressure and moved on.
I can still come to your party if you have enough beers. Don’t care about ice-cream that much.
J_Oliver
10th July 2020, 0:23
LOL and LOL.
Shimks (@shimks)
10th July 2020, 6:47
If this is really your opinion, then you can’t have watched those championships, then. It is impossible. The guy was pure magic.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
10th July 2020, 14:05
Saying alonso is a lucky 2x championship winner is like reading what you want to read or in this case watching what you want to watch about those seasons: renault was a slower car than mclaren in 2005, but made up for it with reliability, so more than being lucky, he had the best car, and in 2006 he had a similar amount of bad luck as schumacher, the difference was probably made by age (11,5 is significant) and by renault being generally better in the first half and ferrari the 2nd.
Robbie (@robbie)
9th July 2020, 16:48
@huhhii As @coldfly points out your comment must be borne of a hate on for FA because otherwise there is absolutely nothing to substantiate that Ocon is up to besting a two time WDC. Or at least put another way, when Ocon has a couple of WDC’s under his belt then perhaps your comment might make for debate. Has Ocon even won a race in F1, I ask rhetorically? Not saying Ocon won’t, he could, even though I don’t see it, but for now Ocon has much (everything really) to add to his F1 CV before he can be stood up against many other drivers, especially of the level of FA.
David (@nvherman)
9th July 2020, 19:35
@huhhii really not sure where you get the idea that Ocon is a better driver than Alonso.
Personally I don’t even think Ocon is as good as Vandoorne.
Sameer Cader (@)
10th July 2020, 3:53
Well i think they might be of a similar level @nvherman @huhhii
Can expect a repeat of 2018
Only Facts!
9th July 2020, 16:37
Well, last time a factory team called a former world champion out of retirement, they dominated the sport after new regulations came.
Of course I’m talking about Merc-Schumi but the similarities stop there. Abiteboul is not Toto and Alonso is not Schumi. Alonso won’t make it easy for Ocon.
Ricciardo had a commanding position when negotiating with Renault, so I’m sure his contract states he doesn’t have to give up his seat on fridays.
ColdFly (@)
9th July 2020, 17:33
Of course, it was Brawn in those days.
Robbie (@robbie)
9th July 2020, 17:00
I get that it is early days with the news of FA’s return, so nothing has been decided as to when FA will be in this current car for the first time, but I recommend they do that as soon as possible. I don’t see the point of him running a 2018 car, but I see big significance in him feeling what this car is like as soon as possible both to prepare himself but mostly to provide his input in addition to what DR and Ocon will be providing.
If not DR’s car, then Ocon’s, and if not during this season, then perhaps right after the season ends if they can legally get in a run for FA. DR is right that FA doesn’t need the help, but what he isn’t saying is that Renault needs all the help they can get. And even if FA’s analysis of the car were to be very similar to what DR and Ocon are experiencing, then that is firstly more confirmation of what they need to do, and secondly getting FA in the car to feel it and to start to wrap is head around the project with the rest of the staff.
Robbie (@robbie)
9th July 2020, 17:04
Meant to add, as the season winds down as does DR’s tenure at Renault I think it is highly likely that indeed FA will take over his car for a practice session or two. Why not? DR won’t need it but it sure would be a useful, perhaps even essential exercise for the team and FA.
ColdFly (@)
9th July 2020, 17:35
I still think the seat swapping might start this year.
Vettel seems to apply for an early release.
Sameer Cader (@)
10th July 2020, 3:55
@coldfly honestly i was thinking the same
Could happen as soon as Monza as Alonso said he will join Renault in Sep after Indy
alex
9th July 2020, 18:21
He doesn’t need Ricciardo to help him. He has a “practice year” in 2021…
So… he can calmly learn the car and the team in a whole year.
kpcart
10th July 2020, 3:37
What will happen to Ocon if he gets destroyed by Ricciardo and then Alonso as teammates? I dont see him as any better than Werhelin or Vandoorne and they are already out of f1. I hope Renault make a great car for 2022.
Sameer Cader (@)
10th July 2020, 3:57
Agreed and most likely he will. Just ask all of Fernandos teammates (expect Hamilton)
Hes ended all of there careers basically.
If Alonso destroys Ocon then maybe he looses his seat… I guess? Maybe Russell at Renault for 2022?
MacLeod (@macleod)
10th July 2020, 8:45
While Ocon is a above average Driver he isn’t expectional against real good drivers he will lack (Mac, Daniel and Alonso)
I find it fun when people said but Ocon went champion agianst Max so he is better. But look at the amount of wins Max (10) had and how many Ocon (3) had, Ocon was in the best car and Max was in a midfield car tells it all.
MacLeod (@macleod)
10th July 2020, 8:45
Oeps sorry but Mac= Max