JULY 19, 2002

Alonso and Renault

Speculation is building in F1 circles that Renault Sport will this weekend announce that Fernando Alonso will be joining Jarno Trulli next year.

SPECULATION is building in F1 circles that Renault Sport will this weekend announce that Fernando Alonso will be joining Jarno Trulli next year, pushing Jenson Button out of the team - and the British mainstream press is already sharpening its knives to go after the decisionmakers at the French team. It is increasingly clear that a deal has already been done and the French GP is traditionally the place for French announcements.

The announcement should precipitate a series of other movements on the driver market with Nick Heidfeld expected to be on his way to Toyota, Mark Webber in line for a Jaguar drive - with Minardi being treated favorably for a Cosworth engine supply in 2003 if it agrees to let the Australian go.