via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 25, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 25, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Fernando Alonso is yet to find his best form since his return to Formula One. Enduring yet another frustrating weekend in Barcelona, Alonso finished P17, just ahead of the two Haas cars.
Alpine F1’s charge this season, so far, is being led by Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman finished an impressive P9 on Sunday, taking his points tally to 10. His performances with the team have merited him praise from his Spanish teammate, who said that he can’t match Ocon despite his best efforts.
Fernando Alonso praises Ocon’s ‘perfect weekends’
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Alonso was extremely happy for Ocon, stating that his performances for the team have been on point since 2020. The 39-year-old also pointed out that his teammate’s form calls for him to keep improving.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 29, 2021 Alpine’s Esteban Ocon attends a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Gabriel Bouys
Alonso said, “I think he is good, and we are seeing that. He is in a very good form and, right now, fully integrated with the team. [He was on the] podium last year in Bahrain, in the last part of the championship, and now, giving perfect weekends. So this is very good.
“I am giving my 100%, and obviously that’s not enough to be at that level at the moment, so I need to keep improving.”
Settled drivers do well in this team: Alonso
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While Alonso has lauded Ocon, he also pointed out a key observation about Alpine F1; the veteran thinks drivers perform better after their first season with the team. Some examples he mentioned for this trend are Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 7, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during practice REUTERS/Albert Gea
The two-time world champion said, “When Carlos [Sainz] joined Renault, he was not as quick as [Nico] Hulkenberg. I remember the first couple of races, Daniel [Ricciardo] was arguably slower than Nico in 2019, and he was very good in 2020, his second year.
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“So it seems it is a team that is a little bit different than the others and you need an adaptation.”
With the drivers now headed to Monaco, Alonso will look to take more points home. Although he’s won twice in a row at this track, he’s far from that position at the moment. Can his experience bring him a good result on May 23?
