Titanium plates removed from Alonso's face

A few months without racing in a Formula One car is very convenient for Fernando Alonso. Last February, the Spaniard had a cycling accident, which required surgery on his jaw, and he has used the current winter break to have surgery on this again.

The good news for Alonso is that this operation is over and was successful. The two-time world champion had the titanium plates removed from his face last week, and Alonso has now returned home. Participating in the virtual 24 hours at Le Mans was not an option, however, he explained during the live broadcast of the race.

Alonso said during the race that he would have liked to participate, along with his teammate Esteban Ocon. They had planned to share the car, but that surgery threw a spanner in the works. But Alonso is confident of entering the Le Mans virtual race at some point.

Alonso and his Alpine team have big plans for 2022. The French team hopes to climb even higher and comepete with the top teams next season, becoming a regular candidate for a podium finish. Last season Alpine won once, with Ocon in Hungary.