It has been a while since we all saw Fernando Alonso behind the wheel of an F1 car. However, it’s not too long before he shacks up with Renault in 2021, replacing Daniel Ricciardo who moves to McLaren.

A part of that wait has now come to an end, with him stepping up preparations for the next season. The Spaniard will take to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today. Driving this season’s Renault RS-20, the primary objective would most certainly be to get a feel of the car.

Alonso has, of course, been waiting for an opportunity to get out onto the track, and with Renault getting the chance to use one of their filming days, he will look to juice the occasion for all that it is worth.

Fernando Alonso ready for the test despite ‘not normal’ preparations

The two-time World Champion has obviously put in a significant number of hours on the simulator and strategy visits to the team’s factory sites. But the instincts and driving observations on the track will be extremely unique for any racing driver.

Ahead of the test, Alonso gave a brief interview to Renault’s media team. He said, “Returning behind the wheel is going to be an amazing feeling. I’m really looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be like a new beginning.

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“It’s going to be one of the last opportunities with a car named after the Renault brand because next year it’s going to change. I feel really privileged and I’m looking forward to it, very excited.”

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way sporting events go about their business. “With the Covid restrictions, it was not the normal preparations, not many days in the simulator. But nevertheless, I think we are ready.”

Renault had previously requested permission for young drivers’ test

As Alonso says in the interview, he had his very first F1 testing with Benetton in Barcelona itself. Nearly 20 years on, he comes back to where it all started for him, in a bid to prepare for the subsequent season.

But, prior to choosing filming day as an option, Renault had requested the FIA for special permission to have Alonso in young drivers’ test. One can assume that the same was not granted.

Regardless, Alonso will now work even closely with the race team to collect data and analyze the footage. Ahead of their rebranding to Alpine F1, things are looking promising bit by bit for both the team and the driver.