Fernando Alonso arrived with the red shirt designed by Kappa, inspired by the national team’s kit, set to be worn at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-C1 this weekend. The Asturian driver spoke with SPORT about concerns from a tough start to the season, when strong driving in the Alpine A522 did not translate into race results. Alonso heads to Montmeló with only 2 points in his tally after race management inMiami left him short after penalties.
Circuit’s grandstands haven’t echoed with the same roar as during championship battles. Do you sense renewed interest this year?
I wouldn’t claim the atmosphere on the track will rival the glory years. There will be more spectators than in recent editions, but between 2015 and 2021 the pandemic and the absence of competitive cars limited the crowd. This year’s stronger turnout is good for the sport and for the Grand Prix. I hope this isn’t just a one-off and that the trend continues for years to come.
How do you approach racing on home soil?
With genuine anticipation. In front of the fans there is one annual opportunity to enjoy the moment and push for a solid result. The goal is clear. We showed pace in the first five races, yet the results on Sundays didn’t reflect that, and we aim to change that in Barcelona by securing a strong result and plenty of points.
In Australia, you mentioned your intention to remain in Formula 1 for several more seasons. Is your plan locked in, or will there be a summer decision you must wait for?
I have not changed my mind. I feel physically and mentally fresh and ready to continue in Formula 1 for a few more years. I cannot predict the exact timing, whether before or after summer, but I hope to hear definite news soon.
Many believed he had one of the best starts of the season, yet the standings do not reflect that promise. How can this be reversed?
In terms of points and results, progress is expected over time. Five races are done, eighteen remain, roughly three quarters of the season. A solid run is possible if the team keeps performing well. The sensations are positive, and the overall perception from the team and rivals is that the start was strong. Regardless of the points, there is a sense that the season has begun well for him.
When thinking about the future, the Indianapolis 500 comes into play next week. After wrapping a second phase in F1, is there interest in new motorsport challenges or is that enough for now?
I am not sure. The senses have always pulled him toward new experiences. In 2016 and 2017 he did not consider other challenges, but in 2018 he explored them and later returned to Formula 1 with renewed motivation and regulation changes. It is not something planned far in advance. The present feeling is to continue in F1 for a few more years. It is unlikely to repeat the 500 Miles now, but a change of mind could happen later. The Dakar, for instance, remains an experience he would love to revisit, and other drivers like Carlos Sainz have shown it can be done later in life. We will see what lies ahead.
There was considerable criticism at the Miami GP about the track surface, marshal protection, and overall setup. How does this trend toward city circuits compare with traditional venues?
Time is needed to judge Miami. The weekend brought great attention and a sense of growth for F1 in the United States. The first edition earned a positive overall mark, though there are areas to improve. Some circuit sections could be refined after the inaugural event, yet this is common with new venues. The bigger worry lies with race direction and stewards who have struggled to adapt to the year’s changes, something drivers have noted.
With the new rules and cars, closer battles are possible, but the so-called drift effect remains limited while overtaking issues persist. What is missing for F1 to truly elevate the show?
The sport must become more level in competitiveness. The transition improvements allow closer following, but wide disparities between teams still exist, which contradicts the purpose of the new rules. If everyone starts on an equal footing, there should be more variety in winners. Overtakes do happen, yet world-class teams on the back of the grid still climb the podium, while some top teams fade. This is F1’s central challenge. Even with cost reductions under the budget cap, the sport remains the only high-level racing series with such gaps, and a noticeable gap of around two seconds per lap between the first and twelfth place remains a concern.