Fernando Alonso explains ‘blessing’ behind early season criticism

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Fernando Alonso hasn’t had the easiest restart in Formula 1 life, but it was the reviews that helped his situation.

The Spaniard returned to Formula 1 in 2021 after a two-season absence, joining the Alpine team that helped him at the 2005 and 2006 World Championships during Renault’s time.

But it was a slow adaptation process for the Spaniard, who only scored points in two of the first five laps.

Since the arrival of his new upgrades, Alonso has thrived and now has a six-race streak in a row.

However, Alonso says it wasn’t until the early reviews that people finally started to figure out what was actually a good result for him.

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I knew it was an adaptation process. I thought it would have been faster, because Formula 1 was a natural thing for me compared to WEC, Dakar or Indianapolis [500], and I thought I would be 100% quick, ”he told SoyMotor.com.

Take the example of Monaco: I was hoping it would be a good circuit for me, but I went out in Q1. It was disappointing for me. I knew it was a matter of time.

“The reviews and comments that were made It’s not that I liked them, but they were a blessing.

“They were a blessing because I knew it was only a matter of time before people started to appreciate if I finished a race in 10th place.

Had I always been in front [team-mate Esteban] Ocon, if I had always been in the points, they [the critics] I would have said what they said throughout my career, which is that my teammate was not at the same level and the car had more potential, but that I was missing something thing.

Then if suddenly they think I’m done, everything I accomplish is much more appreciated.

“Some races were not great, like France for example, where I finished ninth. It was a good race, but nothing special. But it was considered a great performance because I was starting to do good races again. It was a good thing.

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