Alonso has learnt from absence in F1: 'I want to get 100 per cent out of the car'

This season Fernando Alonso makes his return to F1, after two years of watching. The relationship with McLaren came to a disappointing end in 2018, and in those two intervening years of the Spaniard's career, he has been able to explore many other racing classes. From the Dakar to the 24h of Le Mans. Alonso also won a lot and after two seasons he returns to the top of motorsport, together with Alpine.

The double world champion has an impressive career behind him. In 2005 and 2006 he won the championship for Renault. Talking to Sky Sports, Alonso looks back on his F1 career so far. "I think 2012 has been the best season for me if you look at driving style, result and getting the maximum out of the Ferrari". In that year, Alonso looked set to become world champion, but in the end, Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing managed to win.

Lessons learned from the absence

"In 2012 I was always able to get 100 per cent out of the car. I'm hopefully close to that again this year because I've learned a lot in my two years away from Formula One. I am curious to see how I can take those lessons with me next season". How long Alonso will stay in F1 is still unclear. The Spaniard himself wants to experience at least the 2022 regulations.

"So at least two years. After that, I'll have to see how I feel. There are high expectations for the new regulations that there will be more battles, be able to race closer together. So there will be a lot of things we are going to find out". This season Alonso will be racing against some familiar names, such as Schumacher and Verstappen. Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen have both raced against Alonso and this season will see Alonso again on the track.

"When you're in the car and you look in the mirror or at the car in front of you you don't think, 'Ohhh that's Mick Schumacher or Max Verstappen'. You're just in a fight. I think there is great talent on the 2021 grid and they are the future of the sport, but on Sunday those thoughts are not there," Alonso concluded.