After a two-year hiatus, Alonso returned to Formula One in 2021, reuniting with former team Renault under the banner of Alpine.
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Fernando Alonso has stated that he and Alpine are prepared to face the new technical regulations in Formula One, which will be implemented in 2022. After a two-year hiatus, Alonso returned to Formula One in 2021, reuniting with former team Renault under the banner of Alpine, the French manufacturer’s niche sports car brand.
Despite remaining in fifth place in the standings, the team scored a breakthrough victory with Esteban Ocon in Hungary, followed by a return to the podium for Alonso in Qatar, all while focusing on 2022 development. Alonso, a two-time World Champion, believes Alpine is in a strong position to capitalize on the new season and the sport’s new era.
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“2021 was a good season for us; Esteban won a race, I was back on the podium and it was a kind of continuation of the 2020 performance from Renault,” said Alonso at the launch of Alpine’s 2022 F1 car, the A522. “It felt also [like] we made a lot of progress. I think the team is now stronger, compared to 12 months ago, and I think we are ready for the challenge of this year,” the Spaniard added.
The new F1 rules include a ‘ground effect’ aerodynamic concept, larger wheels, and a slew of other technical improvements. The two-time world champion believes this will be a game changer, allowing smaller teams to catch up to the heavyweights.
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“I came back to the sport because of these regulations, so it has been one year and a half waiting for these cars,” Alonso said. “I think the team did an amazing job in the last year, building this car, so we are all very motivated.”
“We won’t know where everyone stands until [the first race in] Bahrain, but we’re excited to take the car for its first spin in testing this week. I hope the new regulations have worked and we get more exciting wheel-to-wheel racing this year,” the veteran racer concluded.
