Fernando Alonso has been hailed as a calming, motivational force following an indifferent start to the season from Renault.

“Fernando really is one of the positives and the effort we get from him is fantastic, as is his understanding of the race, the tactics and the whole business of Formula One,” said Renault’s executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds.

“He goes about things in a very calm way and I like that because I think it pervades through the team.

“I always like to try and put calmness in the team because I think it operates better that way, and it’s great when you have a driver who can do that.

“The other thing about him is his results are very motivational.

“He’s not a guy who has to go around motivating people because his ability and his results motivate people in themselves.

“Everyone knows that at the end of every race Fernando has put in 100% effort no matter the circumstances or what position he is racing for.

“That is incredibly motivating for the whole team, and then there is the sheer effort he puts in.

“The way he grabbed fourth position towards the end of the race in Australia, that was just so typical of Fernando and shows us that he never gives up.”

Regardless of the speculation already linking Alonso with a race seat at Ferrari next season, the 26-year-old is currently having to mend and make do on his return to Renault.