Alonso defends 'young driver' appearance
Alonso defends 'young driver' appearance
Fernando Alonso has defended his Renault team’s controversial decision to run him in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.
Two–time F1 champion Alonso will return to the grid in 2021 after two years out of the sport. In preparation, the FIA has given him dispensation to join a session that was originally designed to be just for young drivers.
The test has subsequently been opened up to experienced drivers Sebastien Buemi at Red Bull and Robert Kubica at Alfa Romeo.
Ferrari has since asked for permission to allow Carlos Sainz to take part ahead of his move from McLaren next year, although this is understood to be prohibited given the Spaniard competed in this season's championship.
Racing Point has also asked the FIA for clarification as Alonso could use the day to help inform Renault's winter development ahead of the team rebranding to Alpine from 2021.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Alonso said: “Obviously, [I’ve had] two years out of the sport so I very much need every kilometre, so hopefully I can enjoy the day with no issues from the car and put in some laps.
“I know there are a lot of talks about me. I’m happy rival teams are so worried, but it is that I am just getting up to speed and they can be more relaxed because I will not develop anything, it’s just some kilometres for me."
Alonso questioned why there had not been similar complaints about Kubica and Buemi, but the point is that while both are experienced and can help with feedback, neither will actually be racing for the respective teams in 2021.
For Alonso, the test will give him his first run in Renault’s current car, as he has only used one of the team's 2018 machines to date to prepare for his return, due to regulations preventing testing of existing cars during the season.
The Spaniard has been watching the sport all season and tuned in live when Romain Grosjean had his shocking fiery accident at the start of the Bahrain GP.
Asked whether that had made him question his decision to return, he said: “It probably does the opposite. When you see these kinds of crashes and the cockpit is still quite okay, it makes you feel quite safe.
“I’m not worried at all, but watching from home it was quite bad. I think that minute and a half or two minutes when we didn’t see any replay it was quite worrying, but I’m happy Romain is okay. I was very worried, like everybody.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Horner reveals Verstappen SECRET as team reveal surprise name change
- 1 hour ago
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- Yesterday 21:57
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Alonso and Taylor Swift rumours reignited by new album lyric
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract
Alonso takes CHEEKY dig at Hamilton after signing F1 contract
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860