Fernando Alonso says he's 'optimistic' that success can be earned at Alpine

Fernando Alonso says he is ready to play the long game in order to achieve success with his Alpine team, and that he believes in the direction that they are heading in.

Formula 1 enters a brand new era in earnest this weekend as the Bahrain Grand Prix lifts the curtain on the 2022 season, and many are hoping that the regulation shake-up is going to give them a shot at podium finishes and even race victories.

Certainly, Alonso will want to be in the mix after admitting he only returned to F1 after seeing the plans for the new regulations and he seems to be willing to play the long game with Alpine to get there, whilst also saying he is optimistic about the overall direction of the side.

“I think we have to wait and see how the first races develop, and see what we need from the car and from the package.

“I’m optimistic, because the team is putting a huge effort into this programme.

“We have the support from our president. We have the support from everyone at Renault, and Alpine came last year to Formula 1 also with the mind of this set of regulations, and [to] try to be a contender in the future.

“If the future will be 2022 or 2025, I have no idea, but it is this commitment and this view which I share and I embrace, for sure.

“In race one, let’s see [what happens].

“It’s going to be a long game, I think, this year, because the rate of development is going to be huge, and there are 23 races.

“I remember last year, I retired the car here [in Bahrain], and Esteban was P12 or P13, so zero points after Bahrain, and then we won a race in Hungary. We were enjoying the season from [then] on.

“So I think this year is going to be a long game to play, and I’m confident that we will have a good season.”