Fernando Alonso convinced Alpine "in the mix" with Ferrari and McLaren

Fernando Alonso

Alonso convinced Alpine "in the mix" with Ferrari and McLaren

Alonso has only scored five points on his return to F1 so far

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 19 May 2021 11:50

Fernando Alonso is in no doubt the strides Alpine has made over the last two grands prix has thrust it "into the mix" with F1 rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

Following a rebranding of the team from Renault to Alpine over the winter, it made a sluggish start in the opening two races in Bahrain and Imola.

Updates to the front wing, nose and floor of the A521 initially trialled in the Italian race eventually bore fruit in the following event in Portugal and were underlined in Spain.

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Team-mate Esteban Ocon qualified sixth at Portimão and fifth in Barcelona where Alonso at least made the top-10 shoot-out as he continues to find his feet in F1 after a two-year absence.

While the results failed to match the improvement in performance of the car, Alonso is convinced the team can expect to battle McLaren and Ferrari for the rest of the year.

"I think it's going to be very tight and track specific as to the performance we find every weekend," assessed Alonso.

"I probably tend to belive McLaren and Ferrari are a little bit quicker, or at least in four races they've been more consistent with pace.

"It's true we made a very big step in Portugal. We didn't know if it was track specific or real but it was very nice to confirm in Barcelona it was real, not only in Portimão.

"I think the Alpine is now in that mix with Ferrari and McLaren, so that's a positive trend.

"From what we see now in the team we are very excited for the next couple of races, but we need to remain cautious."

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski has confirmed there will be another "small aerodynamic update" to the car for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

In conjunction with what Budkowski has described as "further understanding of our package", he is hoping that will translate into an increase in performance over the next few races.

For Alonso, the thrill of returning to Monaco will be heightened if he qualifies well.

"There really isn’t a race like it," added Alonso. "I’m looking forward to being there again this weekend.

"It’s a very challenging circuit and with the barriers either side of you for the entire lap, it is a constant reminder you can’t make a mistake. You have to concentrate so hard for the entire race distance.

"But this is what we live for as a Formula 1 driver and I enjoy that thrill you have with the sharp turns and bumps at every corner.

"The set-up around this circuit is also unique. There aren’t many straights and the corners require a car to be tuned with maximum downforce.

"Qualifying will be very important, just as it was in Spain, so we need to work on maximising our one-lap potential to make sure both cars do well on Saturday."