Fernando Alonso hopes everything can change in new F1® era
Wednesday, 23 February 2022
The Spaniard is in an optimistic mood.
Fernando Alonso is relishing the new regulations in Formula 1® for 2022, saying they give teams hope that "everything can change".
Alpine released their new car for the year in Paris on Monday and the 40-year-old is in an optimistic mood.
The team finished fifth in the constructors' championship last season, with Esteban Ocon winning a dramatic race in Hungary.
Alonso hopes the varying new rules will help to level the playing field and make that kind of result more common.
"Second year with Alpine and yeah, I'm more optimistic than last year, probably because the new rules give you that hope that everything can change," Alonso said.
"You can certainly be competitive from race one. So, I'm optimistic, confident. The team did a good job with the car and we're ready to go.
"I'm very excited about the new regulations. Obviously, from time to time, Formula One change [the regulations] and try to mix a little bit of performance from everybody.
"And for Alpine or some of the midfield teams that we were last year, there is an opportunity for sure.
"If we do a good job interpreting the rules and maximising every opportunity, this year is going to be important. So, everyone in the team feels that we can do it and we are ready to go.
"Probably the best thing or the hope is that we can follow each other closer on track, so maybe that provides more action, more overtaking opportunities, close fights and that's probably better for everybody, for the show, for the spectators, but also for us drivers.
"We have been asking for closer racing between cars, especially in the corners. We will have to wait and see if these regulations allow closer racing, but I will never be upset with the idea of more exciting racing.
"The sport is moving in the right direction off track too, thanks to the introduction of things like a budget cap. We hope it can bring more fairer racing to stop others outspending the rest."
While Ocon got the race win last year, he still finished behind veteran Alonso, who came 10th in the drivers' standings.
The Spaniard says he has a close bond with his younger teammate.
Alonso added: "The relationship with Esteban has been better and better from race one last year.
"Until now, race one this year, over 2021 I think we had good fun together, we work together, and we understood that it's the best thing for the team and for the performance of ourselves as well.
"And yet during the winter it was a long period that we didn't see each other so we were texting sometimes, and we have a WhatsApp group, and we were having fun and obviously missing each other a little bit.
"So now it's time to race again together and help the team to move forward.
"The new car – I really like the livery, I like the colours, the combination. Obviously, the technical side of it, we have to keep it secret and we have to first hit the track and see how it behaves."
Presenting your #A522#A522Launch pic.twitter.com/2uoK5nv1ow
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 21, 2022
