Alonso hopes return lifts Renault spirits

Alonso, who has rejoined the French team after leaving them for McLaren last season, fears his old outfit have lost the confident swagger that saw them dominate Formula One in 2005 and 2006.

Alonso won the drivers' championship both those years and Renault the manufacturers' title, but he said things had changed at lot since he was last with the team.

"After winning two years in a row when I left in 2006 they were confident and they were believing in themselves a lot," he told a news conference on Thursday.

"Now, after they did not get such good results last year, maybe they are lacking a little bit in confidence.

"But I think they know that they are able to do good things."

Alonso's move to McLaren coincided with both the end of his and Renault's domination of the sport.

The 26-year-old lost his world title to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and quit McLaren after just one season while Renault's fortunes also took a turn for the worse.

Alonso will make his comeback for Renault at Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix and while he stopped short of predicting a race win, he believes the glory days can be revived.

"They have nothing to prove to anybody so it is just a matter of time and good work with everybody to put the team in a better place," he said.

"Coming back to Renault for me is a great challenge and for them too.

"I think they are extra motivated this year to have the success we have had in the past and I am extra motivated as well. We all have the same goal and the same target."