Fernando Alonso was overjoyed after finishing third in Qatar. He wants more, he wants to regularly drive the new cars up front in 2022.
Fernando Alonso made not only himself happy at the Qatar GP, but also many fans. Many supporters who voted him “Driver of the Day” felt like they were back in the old days. After all, Alonso has been driving in Formula 1 since 2001.
Most recently, he celebrated a podium in Formula 1 in 2014, and had to wait more than seven years before he could climb the podium again when he was over 40. Besides him, only Michael Schumacher (2012, at 43) and Nigel Mansell (1994, at 41) managed to do this in the last 35 years.
“There are always ups and downs in a career. Two or three years ago I had wonderful moments, the victories at Le Mans, the world title in the endurance world championship. But coming back now, in preparation for the new rules for 2022, and getting that podium at the end of the year is really great, “said Alonso.
In 2019 and 2020 he took a break, returned in 2021 and first had to groove back into his Alpine team because Formula 1 had changed in the meantime. That didn’t work right away, initially the young team-mate Esteban Ocon kept him in check, but now Alonso is ahead with an 11: 9 balance in qualifying and 77:60 points in the races.
No question about it: Alonso has tasted blood, the Spaniard wants more, he wants 2022, when, with new regulations and new cars, teams like Alpine can ideally regularly be in the front, exactly that: be in the front.
“The last part of 2021 is a different level than the first part. I’m happy with this comeback year and the preparation for next year is definitely on a different level now. I hope we can be a nice surprise, »said Alonso.
It is difficult to predict what will happen in the next few years, said Alonso when asked about the coming years and battles against Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, “but yes, I would like to fight with them and whoever builds a good car next year” .
Alonso continues: “I think it’s a reset for everyone and it’s up to us to build a fast car. In 2022 everyone has the same cards, so we have to play smarter and hopefully build a fast car, and when we’re in that position I feel strong, I feel ready to take on the fight. “
First of all, he and Alpine need to keep the lead in the constructors’ championship over AlphaTauri. Because after Qatar it is now 25 points.
“We didn’t expect that,” said Alonso: “But we mustn’t relax. Anything can happen in the next two races and we have to stay focused. “
Katar-GP, Losail
01. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes W12, 1:24:29,908 h
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing RB16B-Honda, +25,743 sec
03. Fernando Alonso (E), Alpine A521-Renault, +59,457
04. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing RB16B-Honda, +1: 02,306 min
05. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine A521-Renault, +1:20,570
06. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin AMR21-Mercedes, +1:21,274
07. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari SF21, +1:21,911
08. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari SF21, +1: 23,126
09. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren MCL35M-Mercedes, +1 Round
10. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin AMR21-Mercedes, +1 Runde
11. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri AT02-Honda, +1 lap
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren MCL35M-Mercedes, +1 lap
13. Yuki Tsotaka (J), AlphaTauri AT02-Honda, +1 Runde
14. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo C41-Ferrari, +1 Runde
15. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo C41-Ferrari, +1 round
16. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas VF-21-Ferrari, + 1 lap
17. George Russell (GB), Williams FW43B-Mercedes, +2 Runden
18. Nikita Mazepin (RUS), Haas VF-21-Ferrari, +2 laps
Out
Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams FW43B-Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes W12
World Championship stand after 20 of 22 races
driver
1. Verstappen 351.5 Punkte
2. Hamilton 343.5 points
3. Bottas 203
4. Pérez 190
5. Norris 153
6. Leclerc 152
7. Sainz 145.5
8. Ricciardo 105
9. Gasly 92
10. Alonso 77
11. Ocon 60
12. Vettel 43
13. Stroll 34
14. Tsunoda 20
15. Russell 16
16. Räikkönen 10
17. Latifi 7
18. Giovinazzi 1
19. Schumacher 0
20. Kubica 0
21. Mazepin 0
Teams
1. Mercedes 546.5
2. Red Bull Racing 541.5
3. Ferrari 297.5
4. McLaren 258
5. Alpine 137
6. AlphaTauri 112
7. Aston Martin 77
8. Williams 23
9. Alfa Romeo 11
10. Haas 0
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