Fernando Alonso shines on his return to Formula 1 in the Bahrain Test

Spanish pilot Fernando Alonso (Alps) Back to vehicle controls during The second training course for the Bahrain Pre-Season Test, With A wonderful morning session in which he finished second in 10th in joint time, Who drove Finn Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes).

After, after Two years away from The Great Circus.The two-time world champion returned to F-1 on the circuit of Sakhir, in a session where all eyes were focused before, during and after obtaining Alpine A521. sum, 128 rolls He was able to test different vehicles to reconnect his feelings in one seat.

Astori, who took over responsibility from his partner Esteban Ocon – Which rolled on on Friday – he jumped to the Bahrain circuit already in the morning session, where he signed an exceptional contract Second placeOnly the Australian overtook him Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren).

Absent since 2018

AlonsoWhat or what He hasn’t competed in F1 since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixHe returned to the asphalt with his new electric blue car and quickly stormed the timescale, which drove him even through the first division. Just Ricardo He managed to knock him out of first place with a time of 1: 32,215 minutes, 0.124 better than the Spaniards, although both times are still far from the one on Friday.

aLonso made his first long run of 43 laps Before returning to the garages and A total of 58 spins rolled In the first four hours of the session in Sakhir, he alternated between the C2 tires – which he had placed himself at the top of the schedule – and the C3.

Meanwhile, Madrilenian Carlos SainzOn his second day of testing, The sixth morning ended, At 0.857 de Ricardo. The Mexican completed the morning podium Sergio “Chico” Perez (Red Bull), At 0.263, ahead of Al Kindi Nicholas Latifi (Williams) And Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri).

An afternoon full of liveliness

Already in the afternoon, Sakhir Received some pilots who did not show up in the morning session like Valtteri Bottas, Mick Schumacher, Charles Locklear – He took the witness from his partner Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly or Lance Stroll.

For this part, AlonsoIn need of a feel on the track after a few years away from Gran Circo, he also appeared in an afternoon session on solid tires, in which he performed his starting simulation. After a few stops, he put on soft clothes and went a long way with the midship. sum, Conducted 128 spins; Only Canadian Nicholas Latifi (Williams) rolled more than the Asturian, by 132 laps.

finally, potash she was The fastest of the dayCorrected his British partner’s bad morning experience Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); The Formula 1 champion can only finish eighth in the morning, and fifteenth out of aggregate, after off-course and leaving his car on gravel, causing the first red flag off the track.

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Marcin Podkovsky, Manager Alpine F1, Rated “more than positive” Alonso premiere In the steering wheel of his new car A521 On the second day of the pre-season period in Bahrain. “The important thing is that Alonso has been in rhythm from the start., Has indicated Podkovsky, Who also commented on the performance of Esteban Ocon Friday without incident. “Right now, it’s good,” Okon said at the FIA ​​press conference this afternoon. “We rode a lot and that was very important.” “Times are not the main thing in the tests, but the important thing is reliability, getting back to speed and learning how to work with this car. We discovered some good things and are very happy with the way the day went. We are so glad Fernando spent a trouble-free morning.

The first thing is that Fernando is very excited. He is very happy to be here. In addition to being a fast driver, he’s a great pro. He’s been playing the sport for many years, both in the F-1 and in the other classes. He is very professional and very comprehensive in the information that he passes on to the engineers, which will be helpful in the development of the vehicle. Fernando has been with us for a few months. He ran a few races last year and he’s been in the simulator too. His preparation this year was affected by the accident and it’s now difficult to travel to the UK, but he was on the simulator a week before he came here. He is very involved with engineers in the development of the vehicle From this year he also started testing to help us with project 2022. His experience in Formula 1, his knowledge and interaction with engineers and mldr; It is at its best, “she analyzed Podkovsky.