Alonso: Comeback F1 season ‘has been fantastic to me’

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso says his comeback season to Formula 1 this year has been “fantastic to me”.

After spending two years away from the sport following a number of difficult seasons at McLaren, the Spaniard opted to return to F1 in 2021.

Alonso spent the opening rounds of the campaign re-adjusting to life in the premier motorsport series, but soon found rhythm and drove competitively.

A best result of third came in Qatar towards the end of the season, marking the first time since the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix that the Spaniard stepped onto the podium.

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“I think at the beginning of the year, definitely things weren’t easy for us. In my case, getting back to the sport, I was not at 100 per cent ready and confident to push the car to the limit,” Alonso said.

“It took a few races until Baku probably. We made a few changes in the car, on the power steering and the feeling with the front tyres were probably the things I was missing most. 

“I think we made a huge step forward on that confidence level. The season overall has been fantastic to me. 

“Honestly, [I’m] super happy to come back into F1. I really enjoyed every single race, on track, but also off track. I was happy and I enjoy every second. 

“This is my best season since 2014, I think, in terms of points and positions. Definitely a good comeback I think. For sure, more prepared for 2022.”

Alonso has made no secret of the fact that the new regulations that will be introduced next year enticed him to return.

The 40-year-old, who is on course to become the most experienced F1 driver of all time in 2022, is hopeful the fresh technical rules can deliver a third world championship to him.