Briatore: « Alonso is much more motivated now! »

Flavio Briatore, the director of the Renault F1 Team, revealed yesterday that he perceives a very strong motivation from Fernando Alonso for this 2008 season.

The Spanish driver, double world champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006, left the team with the diamond emblem to join the McLaren-Mercedes team during a very emotionally challenging year. The kid from Asturias then preferred to return to his roots and come back this year with the French brand.

All these reasons, in addition to Renault’s poor 2007 season with only one podium in 17 races, would make Alonso, according to Briatore, more motivated than ever:

« Alonso has always been an essential support for the team. Not only for his good performances but also for his motivation that he also passes on to the team. » Declared the Italian manager to the Spanish magazine ‘As’.

« He is happy, and so are we. Basically, nothing has changed since he left, but he has improved. Indeed, having an additional year as a driver allows gaining very important experience in a career.

« Moreover, he seems much more motivated than in 2006 and this will benefit not only his results but especially the team! »

Fernando Alonso was in conflict last season with Lewis Hamilton. This season, the Spaniard will be supported by Nelson Piquet Junior as the second driver. For Briatore, this line-up is unlikely to pose problems in 2008: « It’s impossible, » he stated.

« At first glance, they are two excellent drivers. Piquet will have the chance to be in a great team and with a great teammate. He is intelligent and there is no doubt that he will be able to make this season one of the best for learning and gaining experience. So I don’t see how this could turn sour especially since I am not at all like Ron Dennis could have been… »