Alpine changes motivate Alonso: "Big difference from 2009"

This season Fernando Alonso makes his return to the top of motorsport. The Spaniard has been absent from Formula 1 for two seasons, but now returns to the team with which he became world champion in 2005 and 2006. Under the name Alpine, the two will once again drive for success, although a role in the midfield seems likely. Alonso does see a lot of progress with the team, however.

"There is a big difference (to 2009), which I see as a positive signal. If it was still the same after ten years, it wouldn't have been so good news," Alonso explained to Autosport. "I think the factory has changed quite a bit. There are more people working there now too. The level of technology we have reached now has also changed enormously compared to fifteen years ago."

All those changes, then, have given Alonso even more motivation for next season. "I am very happy with the things I have seen. We have a talented staff. Some of the mechanics I know from my time here, so that's also a retrospective."

The Spaniard hopes his entire team can stay sharp, as he too saw the battles in midfield last season. "How the midfield is now is actually very competitive. That's something we do need to look forward to, that we make the most of which weekend if we want to score good points," Alonso concluded.