Can Alonso be world champion this season?

So yes, only one race has passed and there are still 22 to go. But after such a performance from Aston Martin and especially Fernando Alonso, one can question the possibilities of the Spaniard becoming Formula 1 world champion again, 17 years after his last title.

A finally performance car?

First factor of title luck: the race car. Coming from Alpine, which he left last year to everyone’s surprise, Fernando Alonso joins Aston Martin, convinced by the team’s project and declared ambitions: to reach the top. He didn’t have to wait long before discovering the potential of his car. Fast in straight lines, comfortable in the curves, Alonso didn’t have much trouble overtaking his direct competitors like Russell and Sainz, except for Red Bull, which was » on a different level » to use Charles Leclerc’s words. Often criticized for his surprising team choices (Renault in 2008, McLaren in 2015), the Bull of Asturias seems to have found a car that matches his ambitions this time, and he openly admits it: « What a pleasant car to drive », calmly expressed the Spanish driver over the radio during the race.

A regained serenity

Since his return to F1 in 2021 after three years of retirement from F1, the Spaniard has come back with a serenity and race pace that we hadn’t seen from him in a while. The Spanish driver has shown that despite being 41 years old, he hasn’t lost any of his competitive spirit. And he didn’t wait long to prove it: if Esteban Ocon was able to win his first race in Hungary in 2021, he owes it in large part to Alonso, who put up a heroic defense for 15 laps against a much faster Hamilton. In Bahrain this season, Alonso seemed to be having fun on the track, even acting as a strategy chief on the radio during the race. Furthermore, his battle with Hamilton, a must-see in all driving schools, illustrates his great confidence at the moment. How far it seems from the time of the “GP2 engine” launched over the radio back when he was at McLaren powered by Honda.

A strong impression among the heavyweights

One thing is for sure: Fernando Alonso didn’t leave anyone indifferent in the paddock after his race. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, one of the victims of the Spaniard, found the race pace of the Aston « very worrying compared to his own, especially regarding tire degradation: « it is clear that Red Bull and Aston have something that makes their tires wear less », noticed the Spanish driver. Another victim of Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, went to congratulate him in the press zone. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, hopes to see Alonso fight for the title with him: « I hope for Fernando because he had a few years where he didn’t really have the opportunity to fight at the front », declares the Dutchman. But the Red Bull driver should beware, as Fernando Alonso knows how to bring down a reigning world champion like he did in the 2005 season against Michael Schumacher.

Fernando Alonso seems to have rejuvenated himself since his return in 2021, and like a fine wine, he is getting better with time. If Aston Martin continues their good form from Bahrain, Fernando Alonso could emerge as a favorite for the world championship title, which he has been chasing for 17 years. This remains to be confirmed in Jeddah.