WATCH: Fernando Alonso relives his epic 2005 Imola battle with Michael Schumacher

Fernando Alonso returned to Imola to take on the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend with Alpine. But 16 years ago, the Spaniard wrote his name into the circuit’s folklore thanks to a titanic battle for the ages around the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari against Michael Schumacher.

Following five seasons of domination by Schumacher and Ferrari, 2005 marked a symbolic moment as Alonso and Renault’s superior form saw them claim that year’s drivers’ and constructors’ titles as Ferrari floundered. And that year’s San Marino Grand Prix marked a passing of the baton, as Alonso pipped Schumacher in an epic fight between the pair, eventually winning out by just 0.215s.

READ MORE: Imola is ‘amazing’ in a modern F1 car, says Alonso on return to Italian circuit

Watch the video above as Fernando Alonso talks Will Buxton through that memorable weekend.