Breaking news
Formula 1
'Pushy' Alonso a big help to Alpine F1 team, says Brivio
Alpine sporting manager Davide Brivio believes Fernando Alonso's demanding and pushy nature has had a "very positive" effect on the Enstone team as the double world champion gears up for his Formula 1 return.
Filip Cleeren Jonathan Noble
Published: Mar 18, 2021, 3:13 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After two years away from the sport, Alonso decided to make an F1 comeback at the rebranded and overhauled Renault team to replace McLaren bound Daniel Ricciardo.
As part of his preparation, the Spaniard started visiting the factory and attending race weekends early on during the 2020 season, which showed his commitment to the team he won his two world championships with in 2005 and 2006.
Brivio, the former Suzuki MotoGP team boss who joined Alpine as a sporting manager, says the arrival of the ever-demanding Alonso has had a positive effect on the team.
"[Fernando] is really pushing and I think it's very positive for the team to have this type of driver that tends to stimulate everybody, push everybody to give the maximum," Brivio said.
"The fact that he's coming back in the most demanding class of motorsports, it shows also how strongly he is motivated to be back in action and to do great."
Brivio hopes Alonso's experience can also aid teammate Esteban Ocon, who had an up-and-down 2020 season alongside the rapid Ricciardo.
"I think it's a great combination where Fernando will be important also for Esteban, in order to show also how it can work maybe in a different way with an experienced driver," Brivio argued.
"At the same time Esteban can help Fernando because he's becoming more and more competitive and I think it would be very competitive this year, so I like this combination and I'm really looking forward to seeing both in action."
Read Also:
- Alpine explains bulky airbox after "body shaming"
- What’s behind Alpine's jumbo airbox
- Alonso and Ocon to get equal status at Alpine F1, insists Rossi
Alonso is still recovering from fracturing his jaw in a cycling accident but enjoyed a trouble-free pre-season test in Bahrain in which Alpine covered 396 laps across three days.
During last Sunday's final day of testing Brivio praised his team, which he leads alongside executive director Marcin Budkowski, as both drivers managed to rack up the miles preparing for Bahrain's season opener on March 28.
"They are doing a good job. We were able to go through the plan without any issue," Brivio added.
"Regarding Fernando, I saw him quite up to the pace. I think [Alonso and Ocon] can be up to speed from the first race, and ready to fight on the level of the other.
"Of course, it's our responsibility and our job to give them the good package. We have to see the race weekend, probably the first few races, but I think we will be ready."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Perez recalls being "kicked out" of Red Bull junior test
Next article Action not slogans will define anti-racism push in 2021, says Hamilton
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
8 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris wins in mixed conditions, Mercedes clinch constructors’ title
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
12 h
F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris wins in mixed conditions, Mercedes clinch constructors’ title
More from
Alpine
Pierre Gasly on Franco Colapinto fan pressure: “Once you deal with Helmut Marko, anything else is no pressure”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
21 h
Pierre Gasly on Franco Colapinto fan pressure: “Once you deal with Helmut Marko, anything else is no pressure”
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
41 min
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe