F1 needs Alonso: watch out McLaren, Renault is lurking...

Formula 1 needs to have its “Samurai” back in the top positions. And it's okay that Fernando Alonso may not be liked by everyone, due to his outspoken and often shady character, his geniuses, idiots, "scenes" and so on and so forth, which marked an irreparable rift between Fernando and the hard core. Ferrari driver.

But this predictable F1, repetitive like a slow procession, requires the return of one of its most talented "sons" to the top positions. Alonso is turning thirty-five and has an important career behind him. Even with the infamous “GP2 engine” of Honda, in 2015 Nando demonstrated character and desire to fight, giving it his all when he could stay on the track and wasn't forced to take the carcass of what was once McLaren to the pits.

Alonso has returned from the holiday period more recharged than ever, and it is no secret that he expects great improvements from Honda. After all, it would be unbecoming for McLaren itself to face another world championship at the back, when you are still the second most successful team in the entire carousel.

It doesn't matter whether it happens through a stellar chassis designed by Prodromou or thanks to the rebirth of Honda, it is above all McLaren that has the categorical imperative to give Fernando Alonso (but in part the same could apply to another champion like Jenson Button) a competitive single-seater, capable of allowing the driver from Oviedo to return to the levels he deserves.

Today's Formula 1, dominated by a Mercedes that takes no prisoners, cannot rely on the hope of Ferrari and the class of Sebastian Vettel alone, even if in Italy and for the Italians it could be enough and advance. First of all, F1 must excite people again and to put on a show it cannot give up widespread and open competition. We welcome a year like 2010, with more riders fighting for the world championship until the last race, or a crazy season like 2012, with many different winners in the first GPs of the season. McLaren will go back to being McLaren, perhaps putting a spanner in the works for Mercedes and Ferrari. Casino, noise, mixed cards on the table and lots of talent.

Furthermore, McLaren and Honda are also playing for a good share of credibility in 2016. Renault, with which Fernando became world champion in 2005 and 2006, has fully returned to F1 and it is no mystery that the president of the transalpine group Carlos Ghosn would like to bring his favorite champion to Enstone for a return which would oscillate between deja vu and the romantic.

Alonso probably still believes in McLaren, but he can't help but cast an eye on Renault in 2017. After all, Woking and Enstone are only 112 km away, an hour's drive. Alonso is fired up, motivated and deserves to fight at least closer to his equals Hamilton and Vettel. F1 is entertainment and the champions deserve to have the appropriate means to express themselves. McLaren is warned, vice versa 35 years would never be too many to start a new, old, adventure...

Antonino Rendina

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