Can Ocon handle the pressure from Alonso? 'He's getting more competitive'

Fernando Alonso is back in Formula 1 after two years of absence. The Spaniard returns to his old team Renault, although that team is now renamed Alpine. The two-time world champion has impressed immediately upon his return.

Fernando Alonso, at 39, is not the oldest driver on the Formula 1 grid in 2021, but he is coming pretty close to 41-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. The Spaniard has had two years to escape F1 for a while, but now it has started to itch again. At Alpine, it appears Fernando hasn't lost his touch.

''Fernando is really pushing and I think it is very positive for the team to have such a type of driver on board. A driver who stimulates everyone and knows how to push them to the limit in order to achieve maximum performance. The fact that he is back in the most demanding class of motorsport shows how motivated he is to be back and to perform well'', Davide Brivio said to Motorsport.com.

The new sporting director of Alpine is happy with Alonso, but also with his teammate. Esteban Ocon returned to Formula 1 last year after one year on the sidelines. The Frenchman struggled against Daniel Ricciardo, but will be hoping to regain his honour in 2021. With Alonso by his side, however, that won't be easy.

''I think it's going to be a great combination. Fernando will also be important for Esteban to show him with an experienced driver perhaps that things can also work differently. In addition, Esteban can also be of value for Fernando again, because he is becoming more and more competitive. I like this combination and I am really looking forward to seeing them in action together'', concludes Brivio.