Fernando Alonso admits he ‘should have left Formula 1 earlier’

Fernando Alonso is a ‘winning’ driver says Lewis Hamilton

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Fernando Alonso has suggested he should have left F1 ‘earlier’. The Spaniard left the highest level of motor racing in 2018, before making a return for Alpine racing in 2021.

During his three years away from Formula 1, Alonso participated in various other motorsport events such as IndyCar, the World Endurance Championship and the Dakar Rally.

While speaking with L’Equipe, the 2005 and 2006 F1 world champion revealed the only regret from his illustrious career.

“Perhaps there is one – that I left too late. I should have left Formula 1 earlier. It’s easy to say now, but I shouldn’t have waited until 2018,” he said.

“I should have left in 2015 or 2016, two years earlier, to try Dakar and endurance. I already had it in mind in 2015 but it took a while to mature. Maybe too long.”

Alonso had originally planned to return in Formula 1’s new era of significantly revised cars, but the change was delayed to 2022.

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The delay means the current season has represented something of a preparatory year for Alonso and Alpine.

Although he is enjoying his time with Alpine, Alonso was asked if he could win an F1 title with frontrunners Mercedes or Red Bull.

He himself believes he would be able to compete for the world title if he was in the cars driven by rivals Max Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

“That’s difficult to answer,” Alonso told F1-Insider when asked if he could win the title in a Mercedes or Red Bull.

He added: “But, yes, I would have the confidence to race for the title. But Lewis and Max are doing a great job in their teams. So there is no clear answer to that.”

The two-time world champion has said in the past that he believes his current ability is better than when he left the sport three years ago.

Should Alpine have a car capable of consistently competing at the front, Alonso will be ready to add more silverware to his legendary collection.

“Mainly because I am more experienced,” he said. “I know better what a car needs to be fast in the race. I can handle pressure better today.

“I also know much better today how to optimally set up and prepare for a race weekend. Not only on the race weekend itself, but also in the time leading up to it.

Alonso continued: “It is also important how to get 100 per cent out of the car and the team. That has a lot to do with experience.

“In my comeback year, I learn something new every weekend. For example, I’m not yet perfect in qualifying when it comes to feeling the optimum grip of the tyres.

“I’m maybe at 80 per cent there at the moment. Next year it should be almost perfect.”

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