Alonso: First proper F1 test ignited “competitive spirit”
Fernando Alonso says his run in Tuesday’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi ignited his “competitive spirit” ahead of his Formula 1 return with Alpine in 2021.
Alonso topped the times in what was his first proper outing in this year’s Renault R.S.20, following a brief 100km filming day run in Barcelona on demo tyres.
The two-time world champion has also been conducting a programme with a 2018 car, also on demo tyres, which included a session in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago.
That run meant he was fully up to speed on the Yas Marina circuit from the start of the day, which saw all drivers running Pirelli’s C4 and C5 compounds.
He completed a total of 105 laps, setting a best time was a 1m36.333s. As a comparison at last weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP, Esteban Ocon set the Enstone team’s best qualifying time with a 1m36.359s in Q2, which earned the Frenchman 11th place on the grid.
Usefully for Alonso the test was run by the race team and thus involved the mechanics and engineers with whom he will work next year, whereas the 2018 car testing involved a different crew.
“It was good and very nice to be back in the car especially with the race team,” he said. “I’ve been testing the 2018 car in preparation, but this one felt a bit more serious, and it ignited a little bit the competitive spirit.
“It was great to feel the modern cars and experience what they can do. I was watching the team’s progress at the weekend closely, and it was nice to experience what I learnt from the outside and then inside the cockpit today.”
Alonso told Motorsport.com last weekend that the test would have limited value because the cars will change for 2021, with a downforce cut and revised Pirelli tyres. However, as planned he was able to do some useful homework.
“We signed off lots of basic things we did in preparation at the factory like seat fitting, pedal position and so on, which is beneficial with only one and a half days of winter testing next year.
“We ticked boxes today and we go into Christmas and New Year with good spirit and everyone motivated in the team.”
Renault young driver Guanyu Zhou also took part in the test, setting the ninth best time of the day with a 1m37.912s.
Related video
Previous article
Why F1 still sees value in ageing drivers
Next article
Gallery: Formula 1's young driver test in Abu Dhabi
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Abu Dhabi Post Season Test |
| Drivers | Fernando Alonso |
| Teams | Renault F1 Team |
| Author | Adam Cooper |
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping .
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee.
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
