Button on Alonso return: "He's not a spring chicken anymore"

After two years of away, Fernando Alonso returns to Formula 1 this season. The two-time world champion will drive at Alpine, where he won his two world championships. Expectations are high.

Jenson Button also looks forward to the return of Alonso. Button was a teammate of the Spaniard at McLaren in 2015 and 2016. Alonso is known for not mincing his words, which often causes tensions with teams and teammates. Button thinks that this will be much less now.

“I think he has probably learned to be a little bit more humble over the last few years," Button predicts at Planet F1. "I think you will see a really strong and well-mannered Fernando Alonso. It’s really good for the sport, really good for him.”

Button also sees that Alonso is preparing excellently for his return. "He seems to be working really hard on fitness, which is great. He’s going to need to be as he’s not a young spring chicken anymore.”

Alonso replaces Daniel Ricciardo at Alpine who left for McLaren. “Fernando has some big shoes to fill as Daniel Ricciardo was extremely good and nothing fazes him. It’s going to be great fun to see Daniel at McLaren alongside Lando but yes, great to see Fernando back on the grid.”