Fernando Alonso Remains Unchanged in His Approach to F1 Despite Evolving Sport
Fernando Alonso has had a long and storied career in Formula 1, and despite the many changes he has seen in the sport, his approach to racing remains unchanged. In an interview with The Financial Times, Alonso revealed that he still thinks the same way he did when he first started racing, saying "I want all the other drivers to look at me and say: ‘He’s the best’."
Unwavering Confidence
Alonso’s confidence in his abilities has not wavered over the years, and he believes that he can still achieve great things with the right equipment. "I can still accomplish great things when I have the right equipment," he said. He also emphasized that he will not change his approach to racing, saying "I will always be a fighter. I haven’t changed my approach."
Enjoying the Perks of F1
While Alonso’s approach to racing has remained the same, he has come to appreciate the other aspects of being an F1 driver. He enjoys interacting with fans and participating in sponsor events, which he previously saw as a distraction. "I enjoy everything outside the car a bit more. Contact with the fans. Even sponsor events, I didn’t like them before, they seemed like a distraction. Now I accept it a bit more. I feel it’s part of the job," he said.
Mercedes’ Dominance Led to Loss of Motivation
Alonso has not been immune to the effects of Mercedes’ dominance in F1. He believes that the team’s dominance led to a loss of motivation and hunger for competition. "In 2018, when I stopped, I felt it was too predictable, the dominance of Mercedes was too much to really enjoy being part of the grid. We were just actors in Mercedes’ film unable to fight at any time," he said.
New Generations of Drivers
Alonso has been able to see the differences between the old and new generations of F1 drivers. He believes that the new generation has a lot of talent, but may be lacking in character and competitiveness. "There are certainly some differences. I think the previous generation was a bit more genuine. Different in character, in the way they approached racing and life. They were very tough competitors," he said. "Now I would say that they have a lot of talent, perhaps more than before due to all the preparation the academies, the work in simulators, the technology and the data they have available to improve and learn quickly. They arrive at F1 better prepared," he added.
A More Timid Off-Track Presence
Alonso also believes that the new generation of drivers is more timid off the track, with many relying on management, media, and fitness teams to speak for them. "But off the track or without a helmet, maybe they are a bit the same and more timid in their way of approaching things. They have people who speak for them, from management, from the media, from fitness. They are well prepared, but perhaps they have lost a little of their own character," he concluded.
