Alonso's Renault return was a mistake - team boss

Returning to Renault in 2008 was a mistake for Fernando Alonso, according to the team's sporting director Steve Nielsen.

At the end of his tumultuous single season with McLaren in 2007, the Spaniard broke his contract to return to the scene of his championship wins.

But while Alonso battled for the 2007 title, the same season was a difficult one for the French team, and the next two years were similarly barren for Renault until he switched again to Ferrari.

"We know what happened (at McLaren), and he came back," Nielsen is quoted by eurosport.fr.

"I actually think it was probably a mistake -- I don't know if he agrees with me but he knows I love him," said the Briton.

"If I had been his manager at the time, I would have told him 'Listen, you have to stay and beat this guy (Lewis Hamilton)'.

"'Firstly because you have the best car now, secondly because your best chance to be champion next year is to stay at McLaren'," Nielsen added.