Formula One fans can look forward to another classic season in 2008 as Fernando Alonso and Renault confirmed their reunion yesterday for at least the next 12 months. With Alonso returning to the French manufacturer, with whom he won the world drivers’ title in 2005 and 2006, the sport can savour genuine championship contenders in no fewer than three teams next season – Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton at McLaren Mercedes and Alonso at Renault.

The Spaniard, who parted company with McLaren in November after a tumultuous season during which he fell out with Hamilton, his team-mate, in spectacular fashion, is thought to have signed a three-year deal with Renault, although the team confirmed his seat only for next year. This sparked speculation that Alonso’s management team has secured an opt-out at the end of next year if a move to Ferrari, which is thought to have always been his long-term goal, becomes available.

The big danger for Alonso is that Renault, who failed to win a race this year, may not have a car good enough to put him in contention in 2008, something the Spaniard alluded to in an official interview published by the French team yesterday. “This is a question we all ask and I believe nobody can answer for certain,” he said. “You know that teams like Ferrari will always be favourites. Also, the teams who have had problems adjusting to the Bridgestone tyres will hopefully have solved their problems. Maybe Renault can be part of the top teams again.”

“The first thing to do is to put the R28 [the new Renault] on track in January and then start working thoroughly to get to the first grand prix of the season [in Melbourne in March] with the best car possible. I had to rise to the same challenge last year during the winter and I am confident this can happen again. After that, I will have to have a perfect season and hope for the others not to be too quick.”

The confirmation of Alonso’s seat at Renault came with the expected promotion of Nelson Piquet Jr from test driver to race driver alongside the Spaniard. In remarks that mirrorred those of Hamilton’s this time last year, when he stepped up to drive alongside Alonso at McLaren, the 22-year-old Brazilian said: “I am looking forward to teaming up with Fernando and learning from him. There is no better way to start your career than to have a double world champion as your reference point.”

The elevation of Piquet leaves Heikki Kovalainen, a rookie last year at Renault, without a seat. The Finn could find a home at Toyota or McLaren, but it is likely that the latter will appoint Pedro de la Rosa, their test driver, alongside Hamilton.