Jan.16 (GMM) An unusually large crowd of 6,500 spectators, mostly Spaniards, attended the Jerez circuit on Tuesday to witness Fernando Alonso's return to the cockpit of a Renault racer, the Spanish sports daily Marca said.



"Ron, you should also apologise to the champion (Alonso), just as you did with Ferrari," one banner in the grandstand demanded of the 26-year-old Spaniard's former McLaren chief.



The test also gave Alonso an opportunity to show off a new helmet livery of his own design, featuring a pair of 'ace' cards at the rear, representing his team titles in 2005 and 2006.



Another feature of Alonso's new helmet is the reappearance of the prominent yellow and red of the Spanish flag.



The newspaper Diario AS claims that McLaren boss Ron Dennis objects to the use of national symbols on drivers' helmets, leading to the mainly dark, silver and red livery worn in 2007.