Alonso: ‘A little bit too optimistic’ to close Ferrari gap

Fernando Alonso is not particularly confident in being able to reel in early leaders Ferrari during the F1 2022 season.

Alonso’s former team are off to a marvellous start to the campaign, with Charles Leclerc winning two of the first three races of the season and sits 34 points clear at the top of the World Championship standings heading into round four at Imola.

Ferrari are also sitting pretty at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, too, opening up a 39-point gap to nearest rivals Mercedes whilst Red Bull struggle with reliability issues.

Alonso returned to Formula 1 with the new regulations luring him into dreaming that he can be fighting for race wins and World Championships again but, with just two points in his opening three races, that dream still feels far away from becoming a reality.

That being said, Alonso’s small points return so far does not tell the full picture given that a water pump issue ended his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix early and he had more of his fair share of bad luck in Australia, too, despite showing that he was more than a match for Mercedes throughout the weekend.

Is it time for Vettel to retire?

Torquing Point: Looking ahead to Imola, sprint and more

Is Carlos Sainz worthy of a two-year Ferrari deal?

Leclerc warns Ferrari not to ‘overdo it’

Wolff calls for reform amidst Haas questions

Mick urged to be patient over Ferrari chance

Marko wants podiums for Ricciardo, but only P3s

Are 23 Formula 1 races too many?

Signs that Leclerc is mastering the mental game

Hakkinen: 'Whining' Hamilton thinking of switch

Steiner confirms how Mazepin was sacked

But it is Ferrari, not Mercedes, who are the new yardstick to measure against in this new era of Formula 1 racing, and Alonso thinks the gap is