Renault

Subterms

    Latest story

    225 Shares99 Views

    Fernando Alonso reveals biggest ever F1 rival as two-time world champ snubs Lewis Hamilton despite epic McLaren battles

    by

    FERNANDO ALONSO singled out Formula One legend Michael Schumacher as his greatest ever rival.Alonso snubbed famous foe Sir Lewis Hamilton, with whom he had such an intense feud when they were team-mates at McLaren for one season in 2007 that he quit the team.
    Alonso snubbed Sir Lewis Hamilton when naming his greatest ever rivalCredit: Splash
    Marco Alonso named Michael Schumacher as his fiercest ever rivalCredit: Getty
    The Aston Martin driver has instead opted for Schumacher, whom he beat to the top in 2005 and 2006 to win both of his world titles.
    The 41-year-old admits it is “difficult” to choose his fiercest ever opponent but the Ferrari legend’s dominance in the mid-2000s ranks him above everyone else.
    Alonso told Bang & Olufsen: “It is difficult to choose one because they were all great rivals and very talented drivers as well.
    “When I came to this sport, Michael Schumacher was dominating the races and everything, probably that fight with him would still be the one I would choose.
    Read More on F1
    “Fighting against Michael was very special, so I would say that.”
    Alonso and Hamilton rekindled their rivalry last year after the crashed at the Belgian Grand Prix.
    The Spaniard put the seven-time world champion on full-blast as he branded him “an idiot”.
    The ex-Renault star also claimed the British great “only knows how to drive and start in first” in a petulant attack.
    Most read in Motorsport
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    But the Mercedes superstar cooled their rift by insisting he is trying to “be a better driver”.
    The 38-year-old then joked on social media that he’d offer Alonso a signed cap as a peace offering.
    Hamilton said: “It’s not a thing for me. It doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t really affect me in the slightest.
    “With the cap it was just a little fun thing. It’s good to have fun sometimes with these things. For me, I am always trying to be a better driver.
    “Also, I know there are a lot of young kids that are following me and it’s important the steps I try to take in my behaviour, so I am always trying to learn and be better.” More

    More stories

    • 213 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Jean-Pierre Jabouille dead aged 80: First Renault driver ever to win an F1 Grand Prix passes away

      by

      FORMULA ONE legend Jean-Pierre Jabouille has died aged 80.The Frenchman played a key role in Renault’s entry into F1 back in 1977.
      F1 legend Jean-Pierre Jabouille has died aged 80Credit: Getty
      The Frenchman took Renault’s first F1 victory in his homeland back in 1979Credit: AFP
      And he celebrated that by taking Renault’s maiden win in the 1979 French Grand Prix.
      The Alpine team, who are owned by Renault, said it was “incredibly saddened” by Jabouille’s death.
      A statement read: “A humble racing driver, brilliant engineer and a pioneer of our sport. Jean-Pierre was a true racer.
      “He spearheaded Renault’s journey into F1 in 1977 with his resilient and dare-to-do attitude.
      Read More Sport
      “He was Renault’s first Grand Prix winner in 1979, a landmark moment in Renault’s journey in Formula 1.
      “His determination and dedication to succeed inspired many, and these values remain central to the current team in its now blue colours of Alpine.
      “We are where we are today because of Jean-Pierre and his legacy lives on.”
      Jabouille, who was an engineer by trade, was part of the Renault F1 project from its beginning and helped to develop its new turbo engine.
      Most read in Motorsport
      And his and the team’s maiden victory could not have been more ordeal as it came on home soil for both the icon and France’s national car company.
      Jabouille would win his final Grand Prix at Austria in 1980.
      However, he was forced to retire from racing that same year when he broke a leg in a crash in Canada.
      The star was already due to leave Renault as he was being replaced by Alain Prost for the 1981 season.
      Jabouille did attempt to make a comeback with the Talbot Ligier team, but he was deemed unfit and retired after failing to qualify for two of his four attempts.
      He also raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the late 1960s to the early 1990s for the likes of Alpine, Matra, Sauber and Peugeot.
      He had four third overall finishes in 1973, 1974, 1992 and 1993.
      Following retirement from F1, Jabouille briefly managed at the Ligier team and was then head of Peugeot’s engine programme in the 1990s.
      After news of his death emerged, one fan tweeted: “One of the giants of the early turbo era and that fantastic French partnership with Rene Arnoux at Renault. RIP.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Another wrote: “The first win for a Turbo F1 car in that magical Dijon race, my deepest sympathy and condolences to all his family and friends, RIP Mr Jabouille.”
      While a fellow fan added: “RiP Jean Pierre Jabouille… You remain the first and only one Jean Pierre.” More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Former head of Renault F1 finally goes through with Daniel Ricciardo tattoo bet two years after promise

      by

      FORMER Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul has finally gone through with the tattoo bet he had with Daniel Ricciardo.The 44-year-old had assured the Aussie that he’d get the ink if Ricci finished on the podium with the team and he’s finally held up his end of the bargain – two years after the original bet.

      Ricciardo uploaded a snap of the Frenchman laying on his front on a tattooing table.
      An artist can be seen working on his lower right calf.
      And Ricciardo, 32, is stood grinning in the background.
      The now-McLaren driver captioned the post: “A bet’s a bet. Video Wednesday.”
      It received more than 617,000 likes and more than 5,100 comments.
      The pair made the bet after Ricciardo joined Renault in 2019.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      After the wager was struck, Ricciardo produced the goods at the Emilia Romagna GP on November 1, 2020.
      He came third behind the two Mercedes driven by Lewis Hamilton – pole – and Valtteri Bottas in second.
      The tattoo delay was said to be because the pandemic made it difficult to organise.
      But the two men have finally made it happen.
      FREE BETS: GET THE LATEST BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      Ricciardo has promised a video which will be released on Wednesday.
      He currently sits eighth in this season’s F1 championship on 105 points.
      AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly is below him in ninth with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz 45.5 points above him in seventh.
      Lewis Hamilton hugs Virgil Abloh after the Off White Fashion Show in Paris More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fernando Alonso says he’s ‘OK and looking forward’ to 2021 F1 season with Alpine after jaw surgery following road crash

      by

      FERNANDO ALONSO has declared that he is feeling ‘OK’ after suffering a fractured jaw in a cycling accident.
      The two-time F1 champion came off his road bike in Switzerland on Thursday afternoon and needed hospital treatment.

      Fernando Alonso injured himself on Thursday while cycling in SwitzerlandCredit: Instagram @fernandoalo_oficial

      Alonso’s girlfriend Linda Morselli is by the Spaniard’s side in hospital following his accident

      The 39-year-old will spend a further two days in hospital – with his partner Linda Morselli by his side – as he recovers from surgery on his jaw and teeth.
      His Italian model girlfriend has reportedly been keeping relatives updated on his condition via WhatsApp.
      Taking to social media, Alonso said: “Thanks for all your wishes, I’m OK and looking forward to getting 2021 underway.”
      A statement from his Alpine F1 team – formerly Renault – said: “Following his cycling accident Fernando Alonso was kept under observation in hospital in Switzerland.

      “Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation.
      “The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress. Fernando will remain under observation in hospital for a further 48 hours.
      “Looking forward, after a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training.
      “We expect him to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season.”

      Thanks for all your wishes, I’m ok and looking forward to getting 2021 underway.💪💪💪💪Let’s gooooooooooooooo
      — Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) February 12, 2021

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      A police report confirmed the F1 star collided with a Swiss driver, who was turning into a supermarket.
      Alonso is set to make his F1 return in a month’s time at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after quitting McLaren in 2018.
      Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez was among those to wish his compatriot a speedy recovery, tweeting on Thursday night: “All my best wishes for Fernando Alonso.
      “We hope his injuries from this accident are minimal. A big hug.”

      Fernando Alonso hospitalised ahead of F1 return after being hit by car while cycling in Switzerland More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fernando Alonso parks dream of winning motorsport’s Triple Crown to continue F1 career aged 39 with Renault

      by

      FERNANDO ALONSO has parked his dream of achieving motorsport’s Triple Crown to focus on resuming his Formula One career.
      The two-time F1 champ will return to the sport next season after a hiatus spent racing in other categories.

      2

      Fernando Alonso admits he is “quite shy” ahead of his Amazon documentary’s releaseCredit: AFP – Getty

      The Spaniard has been trying to win the Indy 500 to complete the hat-trick to add to his victories in the F1 Monaco GP and the Le Mans 24 Hour race.
      A clutch failure put pay to this year’s attempt but the 39-year-old says his F1 career is now his main focus.
      He said: “Next year I will only race in F1. I had this clear in my mind because 2018 and 2019 I was very, very active.
      “This year it has been a little bit quiet for everyone because of the lockdown but in my case, I needed one year off and have a little bit of a normal life.

      “In the next couple of years, it will only be F1. There will be more and more races, mainly in Europe, maybe in Vietnam, maybe in Saudi Arabia, so there are already enough demanding weekends to add another programme.
      “Right now, I cannot say if I will come back to IndyCar after my F1 chapter or whether I will ever go back.
      “At the moment, I don’t know what my state of mind will be like in a couple of years.
      “I tried [to win the Indy 500]. It is a very magical race and if I do it again or not, we will have to confirm.”

      ‘RIGHT TIME’
      Alonso says the break from F1 has done him the power of good since he left McLaren in 2018.
      But he is now itching to get back to racing after spending time with his Renault team earlier this week.
      He added: “In a way, the two years out of F1 was more of a fun thing to do for me. For a long time, I had the desire to race sports cars.
      “Even when I joined McLaren in 2015, the Le Mans idea was there, initially with Porsche, so I always had the wish to do the 24Hour race, Daytona, Dakar…  I always had these thoughts in my mind.
      “So I was thinking this was the right time. F1 would not change much in the next few years and it is a sport dominated by one team and when the rules are consistent we will not see any big change.
      “So I said, let’s do the wishlist and make a decision for 2021 when the new rules were supposed to come in.  We left the door open if I would come back with the new rules.

      But the more races you do, the more motivated I am because I can see the team’s clear progress.
      Fernando Alonso

      “Unfortunately the new rules have been delayed a year due to the pandemic, so that was the only moment that I doubted if coming back to F1 or not, or I wait until 2022, but that was too long out of the sport.
      “So when I signed a couple of months ago, OK, I was happy and super motivated and wanted to fight for that podium.
      “But the more races you do, the more motivated I am because I can see the clear progress and I see the momentum and direction of the team building.
      “I don’t know if a podium will be enough next year. When we start seeing the progress of the car over the winter and we start doing the simulator, their hopes are getting there.”

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      Alonso was speaking ahead of the launch of a five-part docuseries released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday.
      The show captures his hectic schedule of racing in different categories while it also digs into his private life.
      He said: “The TV crew were following me for nearly 300 days and the thinking behind it was to show the motorsport world outside of Formula One.
      “We all know about F1 and we follow every step in to the series but outside of Formula One there is a completely new world the fans can still enjoy.

      shaw blimey!
      Chris Robshaw and wife Camilla Kerslake join OnlyFans app used by porn stars

      Gossip

      LING & A PRAYER
      Man Utd ‘to sell SIX players to fund Sancho deal but Lingard won’t be one’

      RIP DEANO
      Cricket legend Dean Jones dies aged 59 from heart attack while covering IPL

      TY HARDER
      Tyson Fury teases ‘power house’ Anthony Joshua over explosive punch power video

      Gossip

      DOI ANOTHER DAY
      Bayern stars ‘believe Hudson-Odoi could complete loan switch from Chelsea’

      Revealed

      MONEY IN THE BANK
      Stephanie McMahon sells 43 per cent of stock in dad Vince’s WWE for £1.7m

      “It was also to show how active a driver can be. We are testing. We are doing events. We are training. We are switching from car to car.
      “It was pretty extreme. Different series over a different weekend and it was a good thing to show from my personal point of view.
      “They have been in every little part of my house, they have filmed me training, spoken to my friends. You have to deal with those things because I am quite a shy person.”

      2

      Fernando Alonso is ready for a third spell with RenaultCredit: Reuters

      F1 hero Alonso flips car twice down huge sand dune in Dakar Rally but amazingly carries on without windshield More