Fernando Alonso still has title-winning pedigree claims Martin Brundle

Former Formula 1 driver and now widely-respected Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has said that Fernando Alonso still has title-winning levels of talent and that if he has a quick enough car he will be able to put together a challenge.

The Spaniard is driving for Alpine again this season in his second year back in F1 and is hoping that the new regulation changes are going to provide him with a springboard to challenge for race victories and, eventually, the title.

Now in his 40s, Alonso obviously doesn’t have the time on his side that the likes of Max Verstappen, George Russell and Lando Norris do but, even so, he has a wealth of experience, two titles under his belt, and a level of race-craft that does not seem to have decreased at all over the years.

Indeed, he once again showed his class and mettle in 2021 as he got back into the groove with Alpine and Brundle is of the opinion that in a quick enough car Fernando could still deliver the ultimate prize in motorsport.

“Fernando, if he was in the Mercedes, I think he’s got a world championship potential,” said Brundle.

“That’s how he’s driving. He seems to have all the old aggression. They’re in such a good shape mentally, physically, hydration, nutrition, this age barrier doesn’t exist.

“The cars are not as physical with the absolute loads. With power steering and all that, they are not as physical as they used to be.

“Plus they’re not all smashed up and limping like my generation, who had a few hits on the head. So they’re in great nick.

“And they’re experienced, especially with a massive change that we just had in the regulation. So I think Fernando is still one of the best on the grid.”

Of course, Alonso is not in the Mercedes for this season but Alpine will hope