Renault Formula 1 team principal Cyril Abiteboul has likened Fernando Alonso’s hunger for success at the team like “a big shark” seeing bloodꦿ and wanting to attack.

Alonso is ending a two-year sabbatical from F1 to return to t𒈔he sport with Renault next season as replacement for the McLaren-b🐓ound Daniel Ricciardo.

The Renault squad is buoyed after claim𒁃ing its first podium in nine years at the Eifel Grand Prix, and Abiteboul revealed the two-time world champion had sent multiple messages to the team over the weekend in Germany.

"The situation is ✨obviously very po𒁃sitive,” Abiteboul said.

“We receive a message before, during, after the race. You would be ﷺimpressed to measure his l♎evel of interest.

“I think that when he initially joined the team and when we announced him, his communication wa💎s very much about 2022.  The more the season is going and with the team’s progression, the car progression, the more he starts to be interested in 2021.

“Fernando is like a big shark. As soon as he starts to feel the𝓀 blood, he wants to attack. That’s what I see. I see a shark, very hungry - so that will be good to see.”

Alonso drove the team’s 2ꦉ020 car on Tuesday in a filming day a🌞t the Circuit de Catalyuna in Barcelona as he stepped up preparations for his comeback with his first F1 car test in over a year.

The Spaniard said he🥀 has been keeping an eye on Renault's progress ever since his return was announced back in July.

"Of course I watch all ൲the races from home," he added. "I have a computer from Renault, I can follow Esteban’s onboard, camera, Daniel, camera, onboard as well. I can follow the🐻 radio communications, the debrief, the strategy meetings. 

"I know what is happening every weeken🌜d, the results are getting better and the better, the podium was a very deserved podium finally."