Renault boss Flavio Briatore believes Fernando Alonso is stronger for his troubled season with McLaren.
The double world champion has rejoined Renault after splitting with McLaren one year into a three-year contract.
"Fernando has come to the team with plenty of aggression and motivation. The McLaren experience made him stronger," Briatore said.
"He is more responsible. He's changed for the better. I'm delighted to see him so motivated and professional."
Alonso fell out with McLaren boss Ron Dennis over his status in the team, which he felt favoured team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
And the relationship between Alonso and McLaren degenerated beyond repair during the spy scandal that rocked the team last season.
"I want to see him smile again and when I see him in the factory I see the old Fernando"
He signed a two-year deal with Renault in December, and Briatore believes the return of the double world champion had benefitted both Alonso and Renault.
"I want to see him smile again and when I see him in the factory I see the old Fernando," Briatore told Spanish newspaper Marca.
"In a sport like Formula One, where there is so much pressure and danger, you need to feel part of the team and Fernando is part of the team.
"We are delighted to have him back and we hope he will be happy. If he is, then the results will follow.
"The fact that Fernando is back with the team has been a great motivation for all of us. If the car is as good as we think it is we can be up there fighting to win races."
Alonso's relationship with McLaren became untenable when, during a disagreement with Dennis, the Spaniard threatened to reveal incriminating e-mails about McLaren's knowledge of confidential Ferrari technical data to governing body, the FIA.
McLaren, who were found guilty in July of possessing the Ferrari information but not punished by the FIA, were called back before its World Council and this time fined £49m and excluded from the 2007 constructors' championship.
Alonso, who joined Renault as a test driver in 2003, will again have a rookie as a team-mate in the form of Nelson Piquet Jnr.
But Briatore was adamant there would be no repeat of the McLaren furore, saying: "I won't be the new Ron Dennis.
"I know how to manage the team and I don't want any dispute. Each person directs the team in their own way but I can guaranteed that there will be no problems this season."
He added: "At first sight they are two excellent drivers. Piquet is getting the chance to be in an important team, with a great driver beside him.
"Nelsinho is a young and intelligent boy. He knows what he wants, and for him having Alonso as team-mate is a great opportunity. He will take advantage of that."
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