via Getty
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 18: (L-R) Mclaren Mercedes team mates Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Fernando Alonso of Spain appear at the drivers press conference during previews prior to the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
via Getty
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 18: (L-R) Mclaren Mercedes team mates Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Fernando Alonso of Spain appear at the drivers press conference during previews prior to the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
It’s easy to forget that the 2021 season is Alonso’s return to the sport. It’s like he never left. Fernando Alonso has returned to the team with which he won his championships- the relabeled Alpine team. Now, looking back at his glory days, Alonso mentioned one regret of his bumpy time at McLaren in the 2007 season.
The double champion had an incredible run with Renault. The double championship in 2005 and 2006 also gave the 28th F1 champion his title of being the youngest champion in his time. After achieving the milestone at Renault, Alonso moved to McLaren, looking for a new challenge.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
At McLaren, however, he had a very fractious relationship with the rising rookie, Lewis Hamilton. The team could have potentially dominated the grid; both drivers were immensely powerful individually. However, the cold war at McLaren saw Alonso return to Renault; the team he knew and loved.
Read More: REPORT: Alpine Set to Lose F1 Boss to Moto GP
Looking back, Alonso named the one thing he would change: his sympathetic attitude. “I would be more selfish today. I was too naive. I believed too much in justice, too much in fairness- I was too good to people. In the end, I was alone in the team because everyone else was thinking only of themselves.”
Fernando Alonso has a lot ahead of him
Despite the ‘feud’ with Hamilton, Alonso always said that Lewis wasn’t the problem. Instead, Alonso believes it was the management at McLaren that was responsible.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
El Matador had said there was no transparency at the team. This fueled the psychological battle between the two drivers. As a result, Alonso had to leave his new team and go back to Renault. However, the car wasn’t as competitive as it once was.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Russian Grand Prix – Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia – September 26, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the race REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
After multiple team changes, his two-year hiatus, and a long time in the sport, Fernando Alonso is back on the F1 grid. The master overtaker is just as brilliant as always. As he starts his new journey with Alpine and will be an important part of the team next season, the 2022 season will be an exciting one for Alonso.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Now, Alonso has the rest of his comeback season ahead of him. Although he has out-qualified his teammate multiple times, Alonso’s battle for points isn’t over yet. Additionally, everyone waits with bated breath to the Lion step up on the rostrum before the season ends.
Watch this story: Road cars inspired from F1 technology
