Flavio Briatore, the Renault managing director, has insisted that he discussed Fernando Alonso's return to the French team as early as the first Grand Prix of last season - before the Spaniard’s fall-out with McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso, 26, rejoined Renault for 2008 after a turbulent year with McLaren. Briatore says the idea of the Spaniard’s return was first mooted at the Australian Grand Prix.

“It is not a joke,” Briatore told Sport Bild, the weekly German magazine. “It was not difficult to get Alonso back, we know each other well and even though he was with McLaren we spoke about a possible return."

Alonso, who finished third in last season’s championship, quit McLaren at the end of November after a strained relationship with Lewis Hamilton and returned to Renault, where he spent four seasons until the end of the 2006.

Briatore said he has no apprehensions about Alonso’s form in the 2008 season, despite Alonso’s problems at McLaren.

He said: “I do not like it when team-mates fight amongst themselves, they both have to work for the team, but it should not be forgotten that Fernando won two world championships with us."

Briatore added he would be content with a podium finish for either Alonso or his team-mate Nelson Piquet Junior when the new season begins in Melbourne on March 16.