BERLIN, Feb 20, 2008 (AFP) - Flavio Briatore, managing director of Formula One team Renault, says he first discussed the return of Spaniard Fernando Alonso to the French outfit as early as the first Grand Prix of the 2007 season.

Alonso, 26, re-joined Renault for the 2008 season after a turbulent year with McClaren and his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton, but Briatore admitted the idea of the Spaniard´s return was first muted at the Australian Grand Prix.

Weekly German magazine Sport Bild asked the Frenchman when he first had contact with Alonso about a return to Renault, and the surprising answer was March 18 at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit.

"It is not a joke," Briatore insisted.

"It was not difficult to get Alonso back, we know each other well and even though he was with McClaren we spoke about a possible return."

Alonso, who finished third in last season´s championship, quit McClaren at the end of November after a strained relationship with Hamilton and re-joined Renault where he spent four seasons up until the end of the 2006 season.

And Briatore said he has no apprehensions about Alonso´s form in the 2008 season, despite Alonso´s problems at McClaren.

"I do not like it when team-mates fight amongst themselves, they both have to work for the team, but it should not be forgotten that Fernando won two world championships with us."

And when the new season starts in Melbourne on March 16, Briatore says he would be happy with a podium finish for either Alonso or Renault team-mate Nelson Piquet Junior.