It’s been a tough start for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in his comeback season. Having finished in the points at only two out of the five races so far, he has consistently been out-qualified and outraced by his teammate, Esteban Ocon. Moreover, the Spanish veteran has admitted his struggles and also acknowledged that Ocon is faster than him.

Alonso has now targeted the French Grand Prix to kick-start his season. He has pointed out several reasons, including the F1 calendar, behind him not getting up to speed quicker.

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What are the reasons for Alonso’s struggles?

The two-time world champion has suggested that the nature of the 2021 calendar has made it harder for him to settle into his Alpine car. ” In a way, the start of the season is not the best possible calendar for a newcoming driver,” Alonso said.

” I had Imola, I had Portimao, two circuits that I was not racing for years or never like in Portimao, and the guys were racing four months ago in the last year championship. And then two street circuits, Baku and Monaco.”

With five races from this year’s calendar already done and dusted, the Spniard is now challenging the French Grand Prix to begin his championship campaign seriously.

” So, [from] the first six races of the championship four were extremely challenging to get used to. From France, a new championship hopefully starts for me. But yeah, on the steering side I hope we can get something that I feel a little bit better the balance of the car [with] and more feedback than what I feel now.”

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Can Fernando Alonso bounce back?

Being a two-time world champion, Alonso is one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever seen. Jenson Button had once mentioned him as a ‘nightmare’ to race against on Sundays. Thus, he knows he has to find solutions to bounce back.

The Spaniard recognizes it is a long season with 23 races and there are 17 races left for him to improve. While he is concerned about inconsistency, he knows that he can come out on top of it.

“At different times of the weekend some people [are] at the back of the grid in FP2, some people in FP3, some people in Q2. So, why all these variables are happening in a weekend, you know?

“And as I said, it’s not down to luck. We need to understand better. But I’m not worried.” he said.

Do you think Alonso overcome his troubles at Alpine and get back to his best?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.