“He is super strong, practically recovers the same as in 2003”- Close aide of Fernando Alonso on fitness update before Renault return

“He is super strong, practically recovers the same as in 2003”- Close aide of Fernando Alonso tips that Spaniard has the fitness of 2003.

Formula 1 veteran Fernando Alonso is set to return to Formula 1 to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Renault, as the latter is set to ply his trade at McLaren from 2021.

Alonso will be the second oldest driver in the paddock, turning 40 2021, behind Kimi Raikkonen. Still, his close aide Edoardo Bendinelli- Alonso’s physical trainer, has revealed that the Spaniard is close to the fitness he had in 2003, remarkable if true.

“Fernando is like in the years before, very strong and motivated. I find him really good,” says Bendinelli as per the COPE, about the Asturian rider’s state of form and acknowledges that “he is super strong, practically recovers the same as in 2003 and has the same work capacity as always .”

He further said that Formula 1 is not a game of age, rather about time, and Alonso hasn’t lost any and is born for the podium.

Dominated the young drivers’ test

Alonso aced the young drivers’ test at Abu Dhabi, topping the list which included the rookies like Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin and Yuki Tsunoda, who will be debuting in Formula 1 this season.

However, much controversy was stirred over Alonso taking the test, as the name suggests it was for the young drivers who are in the initial years of their careers in the motorsport.

The main backlash was seen from Racing Point. Renault responded by saying that they sought clearance from FIA and taunted their rivals by saying that they were “within the rules, unlike them.” referring to the controversy of copying Mercedes’ 2019 car.

Nevertheless, later in an interview, Alonso dismissed the need for that test, as he thinks he only took a short break from Formula 1, his final stint was with McLaren till 2019.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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