Fernando Alonso: “I’m 100% when it comes to driving”

How do you feel after the announcement of your return to the premier category?

I am happy. Not only to find the F1, but also the team where I experienced the best moments of my Grand Prix career. I already know a lot of people at Renault. Mechanics, engineers… I know they are all driven by the same passion. Their hunger for success is intact. The arrival of the new rules in 2022 should result in a slightly fairer championship between the teams. At the end of the 2018 season, I wanted to see what life was like outside the F1 bubble and reflect on the total regulatory overhaul planned for 2021. It was pushed back a year due to Covid-19, but I think it's still worth joining the discipline next year. It will be good preparation (for 2022. Editor’s note) after two seasons outside the category.

How will you prepare for your return?

Last year I was very active. This season, everyone is in the same boat, F1 has only been able to carry out a pair of Grands Prix and I have three weeks of competition in my legs with the Paris-Dakar, which dates back to last January. These are the only references we have. The planet has stopped spinning. Last year, I raced in the different championships Endurance, whether in WEC or IMSA. And I was also preparing for the Dakar (without forgetting the Indianapolis 500 even if he failed to qualify. Editor's note). I was behind the wheel almost every week. I feel ready. I'm 100% when it comes to riding. On a physical level, I started a very specific preparation program in February. I'm on top. 15 days ago, I took fitness tests and achieved the best results of my career. I am very happy, extremely motivated, and stronger than ever.

Isn't your recruitment a disavowal for the young Renault driver sector?

I know to what extent the Renault Sport Academy plays an important role in the eyes of the Group. These young talents represent the future. Based on my experience, I know that all teams that invest in prospects reap the benefits at some point. I will try to help them as much as I can with my experience, not only from F1, but also from other disciplines. Whatever riding style prevails in 2022 with the introduction of the new rules, I hope I can help them. I know what my mission is, not only in the car, but also outside of it. I know what I have to bring to Renault. I will do my best so that the team is able to play for the title. If it's with me, that would be fantastic. If it's with another, younger driver, I'll still be proud.

What about your goal of capturing the Triple Crown?

This is my top priority this season. I only have this race (Indy 500, August 23, Editor's note) on my calendar. I am 100% committed to this goal. I would love to win this legendary event one day. This year's edition will be even more special due to the lack of preparation. Normally, you travel upstream to test. Today, I don't even know how I'm going to get to the United States in August. I have the feeling that the race will be decided on a roll of the dice. But I'm happy to go, to feel that thrill of speed again. If we take into account this objective at Indy 500, I think we will not start to really get into the subject with Renault until September. We will still try to juggle between the different programs, knowing that the final goal is 2021.

A priori, the car of 2021 will not be able to play regularly at the forefront, are you ready to be patient?

I am aware of the reality of things. I haven't lived in a cave for the last two seasons. I watch the sport on television and I know that only one team can win this season and that it will probably be the same next year. We focus on our own program. I hope that the 2022 rules will give rise to a fairer sport with tighter competition between teams and less latitude to make technical discoveries likely to give you a big advantage. We have enough time to work on this project and build the necessary momentum. I hope this announcement will provide additional motivation. I am relaxed and I know what to expect in 2021. And I am hopeful for 2022. We are here to build something together, a solid building that we trust. Renault has all the ingredients for this: investments, infrastructure, and skills.

Your new teammate Esteban Ocon don't hide the admiration he has for you. Do you know him well? What kind of collaboration can we expect?

He drove with chassis Alonso en karting ! I have always kept an eye on its performance in promotional formulas. He is a very great talent. We know what happened over the last two seasons. He came very close to joining Mercedes before committing to Renault. Nobody doubts Esteban's driving style, who also has the kind of personality that F1 needs. He has a bright future ahead of him in the category. I am happy to be by his side. I wouldn't go so far as to say that we maintain friendly relations, because we haven't spent enough time together yet, but we have spoken often in recent months, particularly through simracing. We sometimes rode together in the virtual world. There are already the foundations for a first start. I will be happy to support him. I hope we will help each other to progress the team.

When we see the younger generation gradually taking over power in F1, aren't you afraid of being a little rusty and out of step with them?

Only the clock counts in Formula 1, not age. I've never seen a race ranked based on the date of birth on your passport. I hope I'm still as fast, or even faster than these kids.