The race in Abu Dhabi will be the last for Fernando Alonso in Alpine. On the eve of the stage on the Yas Marina circuit, the Spanish rider summarized his two-year performance for the team from Enstone in an interview with the team’s press service.
Q: How do you rate the race in Brazil?
Fernando Alonso: The race was very exciting. Unlike rivals who started nearby, we planned the race with a three-stop strategy. The safety car exit changed the cards a bit, but closer to the finish I had fresh tyres. The car had a good pace, which allowed me to attack all the way to the finish.
All in all a good weekend for the team. I hope that the stage in Abu Dhabi will be a bit more relaxed and that we will guarantee ourselves a fourth place in the constructors’ championship. Last weekend turned out to be exciting, but I’m glad we ended it with deserved points.
Q: How do you feel about the last race for Alpine?
Fernando Alonso: I liked the return to Enstone and Weary. I already had fond memories of Renault and now that I have played for Alpine I can say that the team has always held a place in my heart.
When I returned to Formula 1 at the beginning of 2021, I received a warm welcome from the team and immediately felt at ease. Since then we have achieved great results. The podium in Qatar was the most enjoyable achievement for me.
New regulations awaited us in 2022, but the team has prepared well and made progress compared to last year. For me, a career in Formula 1 does not end – in 2023 a new chapter begins and I wish the team all the best for next season.
Q: What are your fondest memories with the team since your return in 2021?
Fernando Alonso: I returned to Formula 1 rested and more experienced after a two-year break. In my two years with Alpine, my brightest memories are of the podium in Qatar. We deserved the result that weekend – the real pace of the car meant we could count on third place. We did not achieve this result by luck or gathering rivals.
At that point I didn’t know when I could be on the podium in Formula 1, so I was especially happy to share it with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who were fighting for the title. I hope we will have new happy memories this weekend in Abu Dhabi and finish the season with a high result!
Source: F1 News
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
