General
Alpine director: "Alonso reminds me a bit of Schumacher"
- GPblog.com
Fernando Alonso is back in Formula 1 this season after a two year absence. He will make his comeback at the team where he became world champion in 2005 and 2006; Alpine (Renault at that time). At 40 years old, Alonso is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid and according to the Alpine director perhaps better than ever.
Extremely impressive
Alonso has taken part in 322 Grand Prix. Besides two world titles, the Spaniard has 32 victories, 97 podiums, 22 pole positions and 23 fastest laps. After a disappointing period at McLaren he took a step back from Formula 1, but never ruled out a comeback. Now he's back on the grid with old love Alpine.
Alpine director Marcin Budkowski said in an interview with The Race Marcin Budkowski says he is very impressed with Alonso. "I have worked with a number of drivers over just over twenty years in Formula One and he is extremely impressive." Budkowski particularly praises Alonso's professionalism. "He reminds me a bit of Michael [Schumacher] to be honest, when I was at Ferrari and he was the benchmark was in terms of professionalism and how meticulous he was in his approach. I see that similar trait in Fernando."
Stunning Racecraft
The Alpine chief isn't done singing Alonso's praises just yet. "He blows me away with his racecraft. It's almost mind-boggling. We are on the pit wall, have all the data and have full oversight of the race. He's in the car and driving at full speed and he has almost the same analysis of the race that we have with nowhere near as much data or the ability to step back."
How the Spaniard managed to keep the faster Lewis Hamilton behind him for laps in Hungary was a good example of Alonso's experience. Something a younger Alonso would have found harder to pull off, according to Budkowski. "That's the thing that impresses me the most. I think it might be his twenty years of experience driving Formula One cars, but nevertheless there are not many drivers, even with twenty years of experience, who would be able to do that."