Renault's engineering director Pat Symonds is hopeful that
Fernando Alonso will eventually return to the team after his time
at McLaren.
After four seasons and two world championships with Renault, Alonso
left for McLaren at the end of last season.
In an interview to be published in the August issue of F1 Racing
magazine (on sale 24 July), Symonds was asked if Renault could or
world take the Spaniard back.
"Would we? Yes. Could we? I hope so," Symonds responded.
"Having said that, I bet hes glad hes not with us this year since
we havent come up with a car hed want to drive.
"He is a damn good driver though and wed happily have him
back.
"Id love to think that one day he might come back."
Symonds believes that Alonso may find himself looking back fondly
on his Renault days.
"I havent really spoken to Fernando since the season started so I
cant answer that question with any knowledge," he said when asked
about the likelihood of Alonso returning.
"But I can speculate like anyone else, so yes I dont see why
not.
"Particularly when youre young, you often think that the grass is
greener the other side of the fence, dont you?
"That is true of all kinds of employees, not just drivers.
"I know engineers who have left us to join other teams who have
then come back saying it wasnt quite what they thought it would
be.
"And in F1 terms Fernando had only ever driven for Minardi before
driving for us so he probably looked at outfits such as Ferrari and
McLaren and thought, 'hmm, there is a lot more money
there...'"
But Symonds acknowledged that the past uncertainty about how long
Renault was committed to Formula 1 probably influenced Alonso's
departure.
"They were strong rumours so I absolutely dont criticise him for
taking the decision to leave," Symonds said.
"But now that he is there, well I dont know.
"I am sure there are aspects of McLarens operation that are a damn
sight better than Renaults, but there again I hope there are
aspects that arent as good." - itvf1
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Are they desperate?
