A few people leave the F1 grid ahead of next season, but the sport’s enthusiasts will also get to see new faces. One such familiar friend of the track is Spanish racing veteran Fernando Alonso.

‘Magic Alonso’, as he is called occasionally, makes his F1 return with Renault for 2021. The French manufacturer’s team will, of course, take on a new team as they transit it into the ‘Alpine F1’ brand.

Alonso’s national compatriot Carlos Sainz has been representing Spain while he was off the F1 grid. But the new Ferrari recruit knows that if Renault keeps progressing, then there is a good chance Alonso might be in the top positions.

Will surely talk about Ferrari with Fernando Alonso, says Sainz

Speaking in an interview, Sainz stated, “No, not yet, I’m sure we’ll talk and comment on the play, but Ferrari has changed a lot since 2014 and the team back then has little to do with today, F1 changes, but surely not the spirit and what it generates in the fans.”

Naturally, Sainz will have questions to ask Alonso, considering the latter spent a good deal of his career with the Italian giants.

However, Carlos is also aware of the threat that Alonso brings to the table next season with new and improved machinery.

The new Ferrari driver continued, “He has had the third best car in many races, they have made three podiums and Fernando in that car can do the Ricciardo thing or more so if Renault keeps hitting the button and going forward, he will be on top.

“But Alonso what worries him the most, like me, is 2022, when the reset comes.” (all quotes translated from Google Translate)

Sainz vs Alonso will be an interesting battle next season

The last time both Spanish drivers went head-to-head was in the 2018 season. Sainz raced in the Renault car against Alonso, who was operating sub-par McLaren machinery at the time.

But with both Ferrari and Renault looking to progress, the eventual battle on the track will certainly be tasty enough.

In a bid to become their nation’s superior driver, they will certainly bring the best out of each other.