Fernando Alonso makes his objective clear: "Not to disappoint anyone" | Formula 1

Although Fernando Alonso hoped to take a step forward in Portimao and improve his tenth place in Imola, it is not a suitable circuit for him. And, unlike most riders, it will be his first time on this track. In addition, the Asturian recognizes that he is not yet one hundred percent and that the performance of the car is not in the place they wanted. Still, remember that this is a year of transition, so you will work hard not to disappoint anyone. Especially in 2022, the year in which both he and Alpine have pinned their hopes: “It was difficult in Imola and it will be here. It is another new circuit for me. Most of the grid raced here five months ago so I’ll have to catch up quickly in free practice. It will also be difficult in Monaco, because the feeling with the car is very important there. In Bahrain things went well and in Imola I was not happy, but I finished half a second behind Esteban Ocon. I’m not so concerned with performance. It will take time, but I will make sure that I am as competitive as possible so as not to disappoint anyone “, Fernando Alonso began at a press conference. In addition, Portimao has the handicap of its pronounced change in altitude, something to which it has also done Allusion to the two-time champion: “The change in level makes things a bit more complex than in a normal flat circuit. Last year, when I watched the test from home, the circuit seemed very different because of the new asphalt and the new grip ”. “We will see what the conditions are this year and I want to look forward. It is one of the best circuits in terms of sensations while riding, but then, to get the most out of it, it may be more difficult than on others ”, he added.Alonso hopes to be close to 100%. To compensate for never having raced in Portimao, Fernando Alonso has worked for hours in the simulator to prepare for this race: “We have prepared even more if possible this race in the simulator and with a further analysis, so let’s try again. ” However, the two years that he has been away from Formula 1 are still a disadvantage for him, as he pointed out: “You think you are going 100% but sometimes there is something more to reach that limit. And we work on a couple of issues such as feedback, the steering wheel and other tunings that you need in the car for your driving style and your feelings. We are in that phase, it will take a few more races but here, in Portimao, we are already approaching that one hundred percent. ”Regarding the improvements that Alpine has prepared for Portimao, Fernando Alonso commented:“ The car’s performance is not in the place we want, we have no margin to fight for Q3 because two or three tenths make the difference. If all goes well, we will be at the top of that group but otherwise, we will lose positions. ”However, the Spaniard has once again made it clear that the big goal is next season, when the change in regulation will come into force which is called to end the dominance of Mercedes. “It is a season to prepare for 2022, we are aware of that, although we compete every two weeks and we must comply with the package we have. It is a challenge that we take up and that we will enjoy ”, stated Fernando Alonso. “We will try to be positive, but we think long-term, not just Sunday to Sunday,” he insisted. The bittersweet taste of the point in Imola Finally, the Spaniard has valued the point he achieved in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix:“I was happy to get the point and to see both cars in the points, but the feeling after the race was a bit low. On the weekend, in general, I did not get the most out of the car, so it was not easy. But let’s move on. ”Fernando Alonso was less self-critical with the A521, which performed better in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix than in the first race of the World Championship. “I think we improved the car from Bahrain to Imola, all the new parts were positive in free practice. The parts we tested showed us that there was an improvement in terms of downforce on the car. Also the balance I think is better compared to Bahrain, with more rear grip. So overall I think we took a step forward in the right direction, “he admitted. What Alpine will have to solve is its gas problem since Fernando Alonso has used three of the twelve exhausts available for this season in two races.