Alonso offered Renault escape route

Updated 15.41 Mon Oct 01 2007

Keywords: Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Formula One, Ferrari, sport

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has confirmed offering Fernando Alonso his old job back if he decides to leave McLaren.

There has been much speculation over Alonso's future at the Grove-based team as relations with team-mate Lewis Hamilton and team boss Ron Dennis have become strained.

"I told Fernando that the moment he is free from McLaren we would be pleased to have him back. It would be stupid to deny that" - Renault team boss Flavio Briatore

The 26-year-old Spaniard's two-year reign as Formula One world champion is set to be ended by Hamilton in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.

And Briatore is ready to offer him an escape route, telling reporters: "I told Fernando that the moment he is free from McLaren we would be pleased to have him back. It would be stupid to deny that."

Alonso, who left Renault at the end of last year, has vowed to see out his three-year contract at McLaren.

But his position appears untenable, in particular after Hamilton suggested over the weekend he would be better off at another team.