After the very long 2021 season, it’s time to take stock for Fernando Alonso. The two-time world champion returned to Formula 1 this year after a long absence, and immediately showed that he hadn’t lost the shine of his best days.
The Spaniard was fundamental in Esteban Ocon’s success in Hungary thanks to a masterful defense against Lewis Hamilton, and he also took away the whim of returning to the podium in Qatar at the end of a masterfully conducted race.
At the end of the championship, closed with the tenth position in the standings and a haul of 81 points, “Matador” met the press to draw up a balance sheet of the season and project himself into the unknowns of 2022.
“Obviously Esteban’s victory in Hungary was the best moment for us as a team, and my podium in Qatar gave me a very good feeling,” said the Spaniard.
“Overall I can say that it has been a good year for me. Both on and off the track I enjoyed my time with the team. I was super happy. I had the luxury of being able to return to Formula 1 and it is a rare privilege because it is not easy to have this kind of possibility ”.
Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1, third place
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Alonso then spoke of the progress made by Alpine over the course of the year. The French manufacturer ended the season in fifth place and, especially in the end of the season, appeared to be in clear growth.
“I have some experience and having raced with different teams I could see some aspects where we were weak and other areas where we were very strong. Obviously we always try to make the team stronger and better prepared for 2022. I think we are in a better shape at the moment than we had in Bahrain, but there are still some things that we will have to fix ”.
Just 2022 will represent a leap into the void for all teams. The regulatory revolution will eliminate, at least theoretically, the values in the field seen so far and Fernando indicated the shortcomings that Alpine will necessarily have to fill in order to fight for the title.
“The most important aspect is to understand if the car will be fast from the first tests. I know that Renault has been working on the new engine project for several months. We will see if next year we can be closer to our rivals. We must necessarily fill the gap we have with the power unit and for this reason there is this new project “.
“We also need to close the aerodynamic gap, but with the regulatory change we will have next year it is difficult to predict. At the moment there are only hopes, but I understand that these hopes are the same for everyone ”.
Fernando Alonso, Alpine A521
Photo by: Alpine
“I am optimistic, we have the right resources, we have the commitment of Luca de Meo of Laurent Rossi, all our management is committed to Formula One. The budget cap should help, because it’s more or less the same for everyone now. It’s up to us to make a good car. If we fail, we will have to learn from our mistakes, but we will no longer be able to hide behind the excuse of a lower budget or the use of two wind tunnels. These things no longer exist. Now it all depends on us ”.
Fernando then took his leave of the press with a thought for Honda. The Japanese manufacturer, who made him so troubled during his second adventure in McLaren, managed to conquer the world title with Max Verstappen and Alonso explained how the changes in management made over the years have played a fundamental role in this. business.
“When Honda separated from McLaren they still weren’t able to fight for the title, but they have done a great job over the years. The right people at the top have been named and a new philosophy has been introduced. I am very happy for them and I am sad that they are now leaving F1. I hope they come back “.
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