It has been a while since Fernando Alonso was last racing in Formula 1. However, following a gap of two years, he seemed relatively comfortable during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
His positivity and wealth of experience has automatically heightened expectation of Alpine, with the team’s sporting director speaking about the “extreme set of demands” laid forward by Alonso.
“[Fernando] is really pushing, and I think it’s very positive for the team to have this type of driver that tends to stimulate everybody, push everybody to give the maximum,” Brivio said.
“The fact that he’s coming back in the most demanding class of motorsports also shows how strongly he is motivated to be back in action and to do great.”
Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso present a rather diverse driver line-up for the team in terms of experience. Brivio said that it was a great combination for them.
“I think it’s a great combination where Fernando will be important also for Esteban, to show also how it can work maybe in a different way with an experienced driver,” Brivio argued.
“At the same time, Esteban can help Fernando because he’s becoming more and more competitive, and I think it would be very competitive this year, so I like this combination, and I’m really looking forward to seeing both in action.”
Brivio was ecstatic to see the work put in by his engineering team and said he expected Alonso and Ocon to deliver from the first race itself.
“They are doing a good job. We were able to go through the plan without any issue.
“Regarding Fernando, I saw him quite up to the pace. I think [Alonso and Ocon] can be up to speed from the first race and ready to fight on the other’s level.
“Of course, it’s our responsibility and our job to give them a good package. We have to see the race weekend, probably the first few races, but I think we will be ready.”