Alonso: ‘Up to us’ to make Alpine competitive, no excuses

Fernando Alonso acknowledged that now Formula 1’s new regulations have taken effect, the onus is on Alpine to get themselves further up the field.

Alonso returned to the sport last year with the specific goal of wanting to compete at the front of the pack with Alpine when the new technical rules came into play, with Formula 1’s intention being that the field would be closer together as a whole.

But the two-time World Champion had a relatively muted start to the season, with him and team-mate Esteban Ocon finishing P9 and P7 respectively in Bahrain after both Red Bulls retired late on.

Red Bull and Ferrari appear clear of the rest of the pack in terms of raw pace, but the consensus among the paddock is that the rate of development this season will be significant, given that 2022 is the first year of the sport’s most sweeping regulation changes for decades.

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“I like it, Picasso!”

Also, we’re on TikTok now guys @AlpineF1Team pic.twitter.com/35gBOr9nXB

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) March 23, 2022

With that in mind, Alonso is aware that he and Alpine have to step up and develop quickly if they are to keep up this year.

“The rules are meant to have a closer competition and a more fair competition as well with the budget cap, so it’s up to us,” Alonso told Reuters.

“If