Alonso Returns Home To Renault

Double world champion Fernando Alonso announced his return to the French manufacturers Renault for the 2008 season according to the driver's personal website and an official press release from Renault.

Following months of speculation involving a variety of possible seats, team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed today that the former double champ will drive for the ING sponsored team next to former test driver Brazilian Nelsinho Piquet Jr. The later last raced in the GP2 championship against McLaren star Lewis Hamilton where he just lost out to the British driver.

The Spanaird, Alonso, won back to back world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. His experience with the team is vast and Briatore has promised Alonso clear number one status within the team.

Alonso's resigning comes just days after the verdict by the World Motor Sports Council who found Renault guilty of violating International Sporting Code 151(c) but handed out no punishment. The French team was found to be in possesion of detailed plans of the McLaren car, however, the council had no evidence that Renault gained any advantage.

Earlier in the season McLaren lost all constructor's points and were fined $100 million in a similar case. Had Renault faced the same fines it is likely that the French squad could not have swallowed the enormous financial penalty.

The announcement spells uncertainty for Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella who are left without race drives in 2008. Fisichella has tested with back runners Force India F1 and awaits a decision by team owner Vijay Mallya. In 2007 Fisichella was bested regularly by rookie Kovalainen who gave the team consistent points scoring finishes. Kovalainen is linked to possible drives at Toyota and McLaren but now faces an uncertain future in F1.

Heidfeld Quickest On Day 1

The final test of the season is packed with different opportunities and emotions as drivers headed out strapped in tightly for the a final taste of '07.

German Nick Heidfeld drove his BMW fastest in testing at Jerez today after his first taste of slick tires. Bridgestone provided slicks to all the teams for use at this final test. The Japanese rubber manufacture is collecting data in preparation for the proposed switch back to slicks in 2009. Currently the teams all use groved Bridgestone Potenzas and will continue through at least next season.

Behind Heidfeld, who set his time on slicks, was Honda star Jenson Button. The Briton, also on slicks, put his Honda ahead of both McLarens and both Ferraris. He enjoyed the outing as testing day of pure fun.

Day one was also a tryout day of sorts for the newly titled Force India F1 team. Adrian Sutil has been retained from the 2007 season but the seat next to him will host tryouts all week. Today saw Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, an expereinced veteran, push the back marker team to 14th overall. Other vets Ralf Schumacher, Vitantonio Liuzi and Frank Montagny all will have a drive this week in an attempt to save their careers as F1 racing drivers.

Throughout the week many youngsters will have their first tast of Formula 1 equipment. GP2 series champ Timo Glock began testing for his new team Toyota today and will continue this week, though he has had experience as a tester from last season. A1GP champion Nico Hulkenberg gets a test for Williams. Mike Conway, Javier Villa, Andres Zuber, and Marko Asmer will all be on hand this week for various tests for different teams all in hopes of securing a test driver roll or the sights of an F1 team.