Alonso's return to F1 proving difficult: "The stopwatch never lies"

Fernando Alonso is back in Formula 1 for 2021, but the Spaniard seems to have a knack for picking the wrong team. Alpine has fallen way behind, and it remains to be seen whether the two-time world champion will reach his old level.

Fernando Alonso has had a great career in Formula 1 and the return to his old team was understandable. Alpine hopes to take a new road under the new name, but for the time being they are still falling back in the midfield. Mark Webber also has his doubts about his former colleague.

Alonso over his peak?

''I'm a big fan of Fernando and he's doing that again. He was spectacular, but he was also worried because he knew it wasn't going to be easy. When your name is Alonso, Schumacher or Lauda, you don't turn back so easily. That has been proven in many sports. I don't doubt Alonso's motivation. He is extraordinary, and adapts very easily to different cars, but F1 has no patience'', Webber said in conversation with Marca.

''Can Fernando beat the 25-year-old today? That is the question. He is just as good, has more experience, but is he really still that fast? Only he can answer that question. I am always very positive about him, but the facts are different. Look at Valentino Rossi. He suffers and it's terrible. I hate to see that. We know he can turn it around because we believe in him, but the stopwatch never lies'', concludes the Australian.