That Formula 1 has won with the return of Fernando Alonso has been confirmed with his podium at the Qatar Grand Prix. The ones that have lost are those competitions or races in which the Alpine rider will not be able to compete for the duration of his second stage in the Great Circus. One of them is the Dakar.
In the Qatari premiere in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso has managed to vindicate himself, nothing more and nothing less, than against Nasser Al-Attiyah , who is the most influential athlete in the entire country. His former Toyota teammate in the 2020 Dakar is a first cousin of the current Emir of Qatar, a relationship that earns him the treatment of sheikh.
Fernando Alonso has assured several times that he intends to return to the Dakar , and it seems that both he and Nasser Al-Attiyah want to share a team again. “ I have had a good team around me, an unbreakable car and a very experienced co-driver . In the end, we have been more competitive than we initially thought. Being in the Top-5 in four stages has been a surprise for us ”, said the Asturian after finishing the 2020 edition in thirteenth place.
“It is the most difficult rally in the world and finishing the race in my first participation was not easy. It was a personal challenge and I believe that there is nothing more different than Formula 1 than the Dakar and, if I am competitive here and I am fighting for a stage victory, I can be competitive in any other motor category ”, added Fernando Alonso at the time.
Alonso’s condition to return to the Dakar
On his return to the Dakar , the Spaniard commented: “After this experience and seeing that I am competitive, if I do it again in the future I will try to do it to win and to add an important victory to my career, but for that I have to prepare. well. So I don’t think now is the best time ”.
“To try to win it, I think we still have a long way to go, and I should have a much more precise and detailed preparation , in addition to being with the best equipment and car,” concluded Fernando Alonso.
The Dakar is on your wish list
The Dakar and the Indianapolis 500 are two of Oviedo’s goals outside of Formula 1. This is what Fernando Alonso alluded to when he renewed until 2022 with Alpine: “ Right now, my main goal is here . I am fully dedicated to the Formula 1 project, especially with the new regulations and all the work we will have for next year ”.
Beyond 2022, the two-time champion does not ensure his continuity in the Great Circus, which is why he only extended his contract for one year: “I’ll see if my future will still be linked to Formula 1 or elsewhere. Of course I have challenges that I want to try outside of Formula 1 . I haven’t completed the Indy, so it’s always on my bucket list . “
“My mind is one hundred percent focused on 2022 and the new regulations, this is the reason why I have returned to Formula 1. My contract was not in doubt, it was for one year with the option to extend it until 2022, so in we had to agree to it sometime. I’m really looking forward to next season , it didn’t take me a minute to make the decision, ”added Fernando Alonso.
Alpine doesn’t want “other distractions”
Knowing that the Dakar and the Indy were on his wish list, Cyril Abiteboul, Renault team director when he announced the signing of the Asturian, clarified: “I can make it very clear that, once he is with us, he will have no other distractions ”.
Even so, despite his statements, Zak Brown opened the McLaren doors to Fernando Alonso because he wanted to race again in Indianapolis: “It is not something that I would oppose, of course. If we have a free seat and he wants to do the Indy 500 in 2021, and he has permission to do so, that scenario could work . ” Now, after the Qatar Grand Prix was shown, Alonso has also made sure to have the Dakar doors open for future editions. At least Nasser Al-Attiyah wants to share a team with him again.
