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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 15, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in the FIA Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 15, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in the FIA Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
When Fernando Alonso announced his return to Formula One for the 2021 season, fans were excited to see the two-time champion back on the grid after a two-year hiatus. But what most did not know and what the Spaniard has now revealed is that, along with Alpine, Red Bull were also fighting for his signature.
In the end, Alonso opted for his former team, Renault, now Alpine, to make a comeback this season.
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Fernando Alonso reveals that Red Bull was considering him
The Enstone-based team brought Alonso in to replace Daniel Ricciardo who was McLaren-bound. But Alpine was not the only team that had eyes set on Alonso.
As quoted by Marca, Alonso said, “I had no conversations with Mercedes, there were some with Red Bull.”
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Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – June 24, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna
Speaking about fighting for the championship in 2022, when the new regulations set in, the 39-year-old replied, “I would not have returned to F1 without the new 2022 rules. I would like to say that I can be champion, but I don’t know.
“The big teams have the oven ready and the rest of us have a lot to do and test. For next year all teams have the dream of catching up with the leaders,” he concluded.
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How’s the Spaniard managing the comeback?
There was much excitement around Alonso’s return to the grid. A driver with his level of experience and talent could give the young guns, and particularly his teammate Esteban Ocon, a run for their money.
However, the comeback has not panned out the way Alonso had hoped for, at least initially, as he has struggled to score points and, hence, sits in eleventh place in the standings with just nineteen points under his belt.
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Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Styria, Austria – June 25, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during practice REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
The best finish he’s had for Alpine so far this season has been at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he placed sixth. And apart from that, Alonso hasn’t been able to crack the top-5.
The two-time world champion isn’t one to give up and is ready for the challenge and push himself to be the best. The next agenda for Alonso is the Austrian Grand Prix, the venue at which he finished ninth just last week.
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Can the veteran driver find the pace and extract the most out of the Alpine car? We are just days away from round two at the Red Bull Ring so we shall soon get the answers to our question soon enough.
Read More: Alpine Sporting Director Notices Positive Change in Fernando Alonso Since 2021 F1 Return
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