Alonso enjoys F1 more after gap year: 'It just got too tough to continue'

Fernando Alonso retired from F1 in 2018 to focus on other classes in motorsport. After two years, he missed it so much that he chose to make the switch back towards F1, working with Alpine. He likes that very much, he explains in conversation with Motorsport.com.

"Two things play a very important role in that. First, I think the two years out of the sport were very important for me, after eighteen years of non-stop Formula 1. It was too hard for me at one point," explains the Spaniard.

"My mind was on other challenges, like Le Mans, Daytona and the WEC. I had to do those by myself and complete those to be happy again, feel free and be happier again." Those challenges have made him enjoy his time in F1 more now.

Alpine is also helping with Alonso's comeback. "The second thing though is the team. I think the team is great. The atmosphere we have now, the motivation within the team. The hard work of everyone is special. We're all working in the same direction and that feels tremendously good every week," the two-time world champion concluded.