Formula 1: Fernando Alonso has confirmed his return to Renault following a personally traumatic season with McLaren.
Alonso has opted to rejoin the team that made him world champion in 2005 and 2006, finally ending speculation regarding his future.
The move comes in the wake of motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, deciding not to punish Renault for their role in the spy scandal, despite finding them guilty of fraudulent conduct.
Alongside Alonso for 2008 will be Nelson Piquet Jnr, who has been promoted from his role as test driver, with team principal Flavio Briatore ditching Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.
With Nico Rosberg signing a new contract with Williams over the weekend, so ruling him out of a move to McLaren, it is now likely Kovalainen will join Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based team.
Alonso said: "I am delighted to be returning to Renault. This is the team where I grew up as a driver in Formula One. Now it is time for us to begin a new chapter together.
"I am very excited about working with this great team once more, and confident that together we can move back to the front of the field.
"Renault had a difficult year in 2007, but I know that the team has real strength in depth. I am confident they can produce a fast and competitive car and be back at the top in 2008."
A delighted Briatore said: "Fernando and 'Nelsinho' will form one of the most exciting driver line-ups of 2008.
"We are delighted to be welcoming Fernando back home to the team where he enjoyed his greatest success. His abilities as a driver and a team leader are well known, and we look forward to forging another strong partnership.
"What's more, he knows the team well and how we operate. He will feel comfortable straight away in this environment.
"Nelsinho is one of the most promising young talents in motorsport. After his success in GP2, he has spent a year learning the ropes as our test driver and getting to know the team. He is now ready to step up to the next level."
The partnership is remarkably akin to that at McLaren this year, with Alonso partnered by a rookie, this time Piquet Jnr as opposed to Hamilton.
At McLaren, it was a driver line-up that ultimately created tension as Hamilton quickly proved he would not play a second-fiddle role.
The 26-year-old's downfall came following a bust-up with team boss Ron Dennis on the morning of the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.
Alonso threatened to divulge information relevant to the spy case unless he was granted number-one status within the team.
The furore played its part in McLaren being fined £50million and stripped of all constructors' points for 2007.
The drivers, though, were allowed to race for the remainder of the season, with Alonso third behind second-placed Hamilton, the duo both finishing a point behind new world champion Kimi Raikkonen. PA