Challenge for Alonso: "You need to learn how to drive the power unit these days"

Alonso replaces Ricciardo

Alonso takes over the seat from Ricciardo, who pulled the team forward in the last two years and has been able to take Renault to podiums again. In addition, the Spaniard still has to get used to the power unit and that is harder than ever these days.

This is what Technical Head Pat Fry says in conversation with Motorsport.com: "He's been obviously in the simulator, and a lot of these things are about trying to get familiar with some even simple things. It sounds simple, but you need to learn how to drive the power unit these days. Even the same powerunit, in a different car, it's completely different in how we set things up."

Lots of homework for Alonso

For one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, there is still much to learn in the run-up to the 2021 F1 season. With winter testing shortened to three days, that's not going to be easy.

"So there's a lot of learning that he needs to get on and do there," Fry continued. "With only three days of testing and then straight off to [the first race] you've got to do everything you can to try and embed the drivers in the team, not just in terms of how to drive the car, but also to understand the people and get used to how we work."