Fernando Alonso is preparing well for a title challenge as he convinces Renault to test their 2022 F1 car on New Year’s Day.
Renault’s Executive Director Marcin Budkowski shared a recent anecdote of a trip made by Fernando Alonso at their Enstone base. Such was his Spaniard’s enthusiasm, he was already enquiring about the birth of their 2022 car. After being informed that it cannot happen before January 2021, he convinced them to do the wind tunnel test on New Year’s Day.
“We were in the wind tunnel and he said, ‘So, you can’t run the ’22 at the moment?’ And we said no, we can’t do it, because of the regulations. ‘So, when can you start developing?’ And we said the first of January. ‘Okay, are you running on the first of January?’ And we said normally we don’t but this year we might because it’s the year, you know?
To ensure that this is fully agreed upon, he has even committed to turn up himself and help his dear, old team with the procedure. Clearly, Budkowski is very pleased with the two-time world champion’s motivation to succeed.
“And he said, ‘Okay, we have to run on the first of January. I will come here and help you with the first of January.’ So this is the level of motivation of Fernando at the moment.”
Fernando Alonso wants to get back into the F1 rhythm quickly
Fernando Alonso has been away from F1 for quite some time, and things have changed to quite an extent. With him getting the occasional feel of the 2018 and 2020 current cars, the wind tunnel testing would be the icing on the Renault cake.
“Partly, it’s him wanting to get back in shape and get back in the rhythm of driving a car. But it’s an opportunity… to work with him on things like the steering wheel, his favourite button position, how he wants to be able to activate all the differences in the car, practice our procedures.”
