A widely held opinion after the French Grand Prix is that Fernando Alonso has returned. And not the fans say it but the experts. Formula 1 sporting director Ross Brawn and four-time champion Alain Prost have spoken out on the matter. Also Alonso’s former boss at McLaren, Éric Boullier , who is now the director of the French Grand Prix.
As for Ross Brawn, he has written in his op-ed: “ We are seeing signs of old Fernando . It’s a great thing to see. ” “I think it was a good decision for Alpine to sign him . The stability he will bring to the team cannot be underestimated. Having his experience, as a double world champion and highly motivated, is very valuable. That team has gone through several changes and will benefit from your contributions, “added the Formula 1 sports director about Alonso .
Already after the first race of the world championship, he said: “ In Bahrain we could see the former Fernando Alonso, who showed those flashes of talent with which he won two world championships in his day. When Alpine develops its car a little more, Alonso should amuse us in the future . His return is great for Formula 1, I am looking forward to seeing everything he is capable of ”.
Prost knew that Alonso would have a hard time being up
For his part, Alain Prost, who currently works as an advisor to Alpine, in addition to proclaiming the return of Fernando Alonso, has acknowledged that he has had a ” great surprise ” with the Asturian, but ” a good one “. “What also surprises me is that Fernando is very professional and very honest with himself. It’s very good for the team. You can always be a little worried about what happened to Fernando in other teams, but this is not the case currently, “added the Frenchman.
Like the Spaniard, Alain Prost was away from Formula 1 for a while, something to which he has alluded: ” I always remember when I stopped during what was actually only six months in ’92, how difficult it was to come back .” “But we were testing every week, we were testing all the time. So it was obvious that Fernando couldn’t be at the top from the beginning, ”he continued.
“ It’s a new car, a new team, and it has also been two years without driving in Formula 1 . He was aiming for the French Grand Prix more or less, saying ‘Well, I need four or five races’. It’s nothing special, it’s normal. Now he’s back, for sure ”, he stated emphatically.
How difficult it is to return to Formula 1
On his return to Formula 1, Alain Prost recalled: “The first tests were different, it was difficult physically, physiologically . Sometimes you are a bit surprised to think that you can do it. And you need time for everything to be correct. Automation, vision and everything else were difficult for me ”.
“ So I realized how difficult it must be for someone like Fernando, who didn’t do Formula 1 for two years . And then he only has a day and a half of pre-season testing with the new car, with all the systems he needs to understand ”, he added.
Alain Prost also alluded to Alonso’s age, 39 years old : “ I don’t know if age is a factor. But in the case of Fernando Alonso he is very strong , he is still in good shape. It is rather something that is normal driving in Formula 1, driving the best car in the world. If I had been at the top immediately, it would not have been normal, honestly . “
It should be noted that Prost is, along with Niki Lauda, the only driver who has been proclaimed champion after having abandoned Formula 1 for a while, something that he does not rule out Fernando Alonso doing. “ I really trust him , he’s going to have a different philosophy. Two years out of Formula 1, in my opinion, could not have been bad for him, he has had a different feeling, a different vision and that can be good ”, he declared before starting the season. “ I don’t see anyone beating Mercedes in 2021; in 2022, maybe Alpine and Alonso ”, added Alain Prost.
“Go levantar to Alpine”
Finally, Éric Boullier, who was Alonso’s boss at McLaren , has pointed out in an interview in As : “What do I expect from Fernando? Without a doubt, he is going to lift the team, he is going to build it . Little by little he is performing better and better and I have no doubts that he will make the team progress. Together with Esteban Ocon, it is a good combination ”.
Asked if Alpine was the best possible team over Alonso, the current director of the French Grand Prix has stated: “It depends on the challenge you want to face. But I think Fernando wants to take on the challenge of returning a team to the front, and I think he is already doing it .
