“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.
