Formula One news

Thankful Alonso bows out of Renault

Fernando Alonso's second spell with the Renault team ended in quiet fashion on Sunday as the World Champion of 2005 and 2006 came home fourteenth in Abu Dhabi. After qualifying a lowly fifteenth and being able to rise by only a single position during the race, the Oviedo man leaves the French marque for the second time, with Ferrari set to be his new home for the next three years.

Having first raced for Renault in 2003 before transferring to McLaren for a single season four years later, Alonso's second partnership with the Enstone team produced two consecutive race victories in Singapore and Japan last season.

"The result today is disappointing, as we were not able to produce the performance we wanted," he said after the 2009 season finale in the Middle East. "I would have liked to finish the season on a high, especially as this was my last race with Renault.

"I would like to thank the entire team for everything that we have achieved together over the years. We had some great victories and won championships together. It has been the most amazing seven years of my career and something I will never forget."

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