TWO-TIME FORMULA 1 WORLD champion Fernando Alonso has extended his contract with the Alpine F1 team for another season.
The Spaniard has impressed the whole grid with his overtakes and defending especially at the Hungarian GP where he defended against seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton denying him the opportunity to gain vital positions to win and helping the team based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, England, to its first win in the V6 turbo hybrid era.
The whole team was very impressed with Fernando’s return who has been performing very well in the races and felt it was the best option to continue moving forward with the Spaniard as with his experience next year the team can fight with the top names like Ferrari, Redbull and McLaren.
The 40-year-old, who returned to F1 this year with the team that helped him win his world titles, is optimistic about fighting with the top drivers and showed he has still got it.
“I’m very happy to confirm the contract extension with Alpine F1 Team into 2022,” said Alonso. “I felt at home the moment I returned to this team and have been welcomed back with open arms. It is a pleasure to work again with some of the brightest minds in our sport at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon. It’s been a tricky season for everyone, but we’ve shown progress as a team and the result in Hungary serves as a good example of this progression.”
“We’re targeting more positive memories for the rest of this season but also crucially from next year onwards with the new regulation changes coming into Formula 1. I have been a big supporter of the need for a level playing field and change in the sport and the 2022 season will be a great opportunity for that,” said the former world champion, whose career has spanned over 20 years in the sport.
He returned to F1 after a disappointing stint with McLaren but has shown clear signs of progress and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
(By Siddhant Mane)
