Fernando Alonso is set to make a shock return to Formula One for the 2020 season, BBC Sport have learnt. 

Although an official announcement from the Spaniard hasn't been made as of writing this article, three separate sources have told BBC that he is making a return for next season, and he's doing it with Renault.

The constructors are in the market due to Australian Daniel Ricciardo leaving them ahead of next season for McLaren, and it seems like they've got their man.

Alonso, who will be 39 later this month, will return to the team with whom he won his World Championships, and a team he has already driven for on two separate occasions.

He left the sport back in 2018, and is due to make a third attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren in August.

Although Alonso left Formula 1 under a grey cloud due to a disappointing final farewell with McLaren, he is still undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever step into a cockpit.

Throughout his F1 career, he managed to win 32 Grands Prix, he obtained a podium finish on 97 occasions and he also mustered up a remarkable 1,889 career points.

Obviously, his most cherished moments in an F1 car came in 2005 and 2006 where he won back-to-back Drivers' Championship, but the emergence of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel saw his form dip from there on out.

However, he has remained a popular figure in the sport, and as mentioned before, is still seen as one of the greatest ever drivers.

It's unquestionable that he would be a title challenger if he was placed in either a Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull, but it will be interesting to see what he delivers in a Renault next season.

Having the Spaniard back in the sport is certainly a boost, as with him comes a large fanbase and also exciting driving.