Alonso back to win races with Alpine

Alpine Academy driver Oscar Piastri has said returning driver Fernando Alonso has not returned to Formula 1 simply to make up the numbers.

Following last year's Bahrain Grand Prix, Alonso spent time with the then Renault Academy drivers completing a test in 2018 machinery.

Sharing his experience of the Spaniard, Piastri, the reigning F3 champion, said it is clear why Alonso has returned to the sport after a two-year absence.

“He might be getting a bit older now but there is no doubt that he has still got the same pace and the same pedigree as what he did back when he was winning world championships," said the Australian.

“He’s definitely not here to make up the numbers. He is here to win races and bring Alpine to the front of the grid.”

Demonstrating the longevity of Alonso in F1, Piastri added he only started watching F1 when the Spaniard was at Ferrari, missing both his championship successes.

“I probably started watching F1 after he had won his world championships but obviously he was still fighting for the championships," added Piastri, the Australian only five-years-old when Alonso won his second title.

"When I started watching Formula 1 I think he was at Ferrari, but I think everyone knows just how good Fernando is."

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