Fernando Alonso in Japan two weeks ago was shown details of Renault’s plans to return to the world title in 2008 and beyond — including detailed information about next year’s R28 single seater, according to reports.
Spanish sources including the magazine Autopista says the 26-year-old reigning world champion met with Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds on the Saturday at Fuji Speedway, where they discussed a possible two or three-year contract starting in 2008.
It is believed that Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is reluctant to enter a one-year arrangement with Alonso, after which he would be free to switch to Ferrari or another top rival for 2009.
Autopista said Alonso’s manager Luis Garcia Abad also attended the half-hour meeting, and later with the McLaren driver’s wife Raquel they followed the track action from the comfort of Renault’s hospitality area.
The magazine claimed that Alonso’s teammate would not be Giancarlo Fisichella, as in 2005 and 2006, because the Roman may be moving to Williams to fill the seat vacated by Nico Rosberg, who is first in line to replace Alonso at Woking based McLaren.
In contention to become Alonso’s teammate, then, are incumbent Heikki Kovalainen and current Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
