Fernando Alonso is looking forward to the new World Cup that begins for him in France . Not only because of his sixth place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but because, after the race in Baku, Formula 1 says goodbye to the urban circuits that have been so unfavorable for Alpine .
“ In Monaco and in Baku we lost a bit of performance . It was worse in Monaco while in Baku we were closer, but I think we need to get back to how we were in Barcelona and Portimao . We have some hope from France that we can return to that type of performance ”, commented Fernando Alonso in Motorsport .
“ On the urban circuits the preparation of the tires is helping, in some way, our opponents to increase their performance . They are fighting for pole now, but we do not think that is the improvement of the car: it is only how they warm up the tires for a street circuit ”, added the Spaniard, alluding to the pole positions harvested by Ferrari both in Monaco and in Baku. “ There are no urban circuits after this . Even Singapore we don’t have it anymore, so maybe we will return to a more normal performance ”, celebrated Fernando Alonso .
Fernando Alonso hopes that France will be a turning point
The beginning of the year has not only been unfavorable for Alpine, but also for Fernando Alonso, as he himself acknowledged: “ The beginning of the season is not the best possible schedule for a rider who is new . I had Imola and Portugal, two circuits that I haven’t driven on for years or never, like in Portimao, and the others drove four months ago and then two urban circuits, so the first six races are very challenging to adapt ”. That is why he said: ” From France I hope a new championship begins for me .”
Considering that he has been two years away from Formula 1, as the championship progresses, Fernando Alonso should offer a better performance. Questioned about his return, he recently pointed out: “In relation to the driving and the results, perhaps I found it a little more difficult than I had anticipated . Not that he assumed the results were going to come automatically. I knew that preparation was needed, hours in the simulator and the tests in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, I expected that, but I am still struggling to make the most of the car’s potential . ” I thought that in three or four races I would be one hundred percent and now I think it will take me eight or nine, ” he added.
A positive triplet for Fernando Alonso and also for Ricciardo
To his two years absence, we must add the short preseason that the drivers have had who have changed teams to adapt to their new cars. This is something that is also affecting Daniel Ricciardo’s performance. ” When you try to learn or adapt to something in any sport, the best way to do it is by practicing, but the problem with our sport is that we can’t do it every day, ” admitted the Australian.
That is why Ricciardo considers that the triplet that will start in France will be good for his set-up: “We simply cannot take the car and go out for a few laps tomorrow with the car. So I think having three consecutive weekends and training so often will accelerate my progress and adaptation . ” Fernando Alonso also applauded this: “On weekends when there are no races, I miss the Grand Prix. So now that we have three races in a row, I’ll have fun . “
Alpine will adapt the car to Fernando Alonso in France
Another reason why the Spaniard hopes that a different World Championship will start for him in France is because he has asked Alpine for a car more similar to the one he drove during his previous stage in Formula 1. “ There are some new things that will come to the car to adapt better my style. I think I will be able to be more competitive and get the most out of the car ”, he advanced.
“ It’s more for my comfort , it’s some things for me. This car is different in terms of the power steering approach, I want it to be more similar to how I have had it before to improve my feeling . It’s just on my side of the garage and I hope it’s easier for me. This car has a different approach to its behavior. Looking ahead to 2022 it makes no sense to change the philosophy of the car and it is up to me to adapt between now and the end of the year. I hope to do better and I think I will succeed ”, concluded Fernando Alonso .
