Alonso ready to help Renault at race weekends this year

SHOTLIST ONLY. COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW

VIDEO SHOWS: FERNANDO ALONSO VISITING RENAULT F1'S HEADQUARTERS IN ENSTONE, FERNANDO ALONSO SOUNDBITES ON RETURNING TO RENAULT AND HOPES FOR NEXT SEASON

SHOWS: ENSTONE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (RECENT) (RENAULT SPORT - ACCESS ALL)

1. FERNANDO ALONSO ARRIVING AT RENAULT F1'S HEADQUARTERS

2. VARIOUS OF ALONSO POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, TALKING ABOUT RETURNING TO RENAULT F1'S HEADQUARTERS, SAYING:

"A very good experience, very emotional days because I remember a lot of things here, the factory changed a little bit but it remains more or less the same. A lot of people that I knew from the previous years and yes, emotional days and it feels like the first day at school, you know, with a lot of hopes, a lot of new things to learn but very productive days."

4. VARIOUS OF ALONSO WATCHING ON DURING HIS SEAT FITTING AS MAN PREPARES THE SEAT FOR ALONSO'S F1 CAR

5. ALONSO SITTING IN CAR AND IS HANDED THE HEAD REST, ENGINEER PUTS IN STEERING WHEEL

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, SAYING:

"I've been following a programme here at Enstone about the simulator; getting used to the car a little bit and testing the facilities. Last time here for me the simulator didn't exist, so, it was a good first touch. And then seat fit, meetings with key people on the team, just to review a little bit the programme for next year and the preparations so, yes a little bit getting up to speed from my side."

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, SAYING:

"After so many years you always discover new things. The simulator is new, the wind tunnel is updated. A few things are the same, some of the offices, the gym - I used to visit a lot. The parking is a little bit bigger. I was always struggling with the parking spaces and now it seems a little bit better. So, there are things always that are, they are better in a factory and the facility and I think the team is in good shape for the future."

9. ALONSO PUTTING HELMET ON WHILE SITTING IN CAR

10. ALONSO STOOD UP AND TALKING TO TEAM MEMBER

11. VARIOUS OF ALONSO SAT ON A CHAIR TALKING TO MEMBERS OF THE TEAM

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, SAYING:

"I think the last few races were encouraging for everyone; for the team, for myself as well watching the races at home and I think for all the fans to see the Renault back again in a competitive manner I think is a good thing for the sport and I've been obviously delighted to see the performance improvements but knowing at the same time that still a long way to go and it's very tight in the midfield so one weekend feels good, the net weekend can be bad. So, I think the guys are doing an amazing job on the trackside."

13. WHITE FLASH

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, SAYING:

"I think the last couple of races were very exciting to watch; a lot of red flags, a lot of action. So, yes, I'm looking forward to be in the mix and to be there watching at home when these guys are in Mugello. Monza was spectacular. I think now some good tracks coming - Turkey, Portimao, Imola."

15. WHITE FLASH

16. SOUNDBITE) (English) FERNANDO ALONSO, SAYING:

"I think the focus from my side now until next year is to follow a little bit what the team needs from my side. I think there's going to be a couple of simulator days here at the factory preparing next year and also helping somehow the weekends this year and then I guess I will come to a couple of races just to follow the team on the trackside and to understand the philosophy working on the weekend. (The season-ender in) Abu Dhabi will be probably be a must and hopefully I can come to Imola, which is close to my home in Switzerland and yes, I will be available for the team for anything they need."

17. ALONSO, IN THE BACK OF A CAR, LEAVING THE RENAULT F1 HEADQUARTERS

STORY: Two-times world champion Fernando Alonso hopes to attend some races this year to help Renault with "anything they may need" before his Formula One comeback in 2021.

The 39-year-old Spaniard, who last raced in F1 with McLaren in 2018, is returning for a third stint with the French manufacturer team.

"It's going to be a couple of simulator days here at the factory, preparing next year and also helping somehow the weekends this year," he said of his plans in a video interview issued by Renault on Thursday (September 24).

"I guess I will come to a couple of races, just to follow the team on the track side and to understand the philosophy working on the weekend.

"(The season-ender in) Abu Dhabi will be probably a must, and hopefully I can come to Imola which is close to my home in Switzerland," he added. "I will be available for the team for anything they need."

Alonso visited the team's factory at Enstone in central England for a seat fitting and also travelled to Viry-Chatillon in France to meet Renault technicians.

The Spaniard won his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and also raced for them in 2008 and 2009 after a difficult season at McLaren.

"A lot of things have changed; the simulator is new, the wind tunnel is updated, a few things are the same: some of the offices, the gym that I used to visit a lot," he said of Enstone.

"It's like a first day at school with a lot of hopes, a lot of new things to learn but very productive."

"I think the team is in good shape for the future. The last three races were encouraging for everyone, for myself as well," he added.

Renault are fifth in the constructors' championship.

(Production: Tim Hart)