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Bahrain Gp: Fernando Alonso’s F1 Return Reminiscent of “McLaren Years” – Palmer

Published 03/29/2021, 6:38 AM EDT

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via Reuters

Fernando Alonso didn’t get off to the start he wanted on his return of F1. The two-time world champion had some brake issues, which resulted in his retirement from the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Spanish driver started 9th on the grid while his French teammate, Esteban Ocon, was down at 16th. The French-based team didn’t score any points in the first race of the season, as Alonso was out of the race and Ocon finished 13th.

Alonso’s dream return to the grid ended after just 32 laps around the circuit. The second round in Imola will give the Spaniard a chance to redeem himself and the hope to score some points for the French team.

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via Reuters

Palmer says that it was typical for Fernando Alonso to put it all on the line

In an episode of a podcast, F1: The Chequered Flag, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer said, “Yeah, I don’t know if Alonso wouldn’t mind it parking it up halfway through the race. He had his scrap it was typical Alonso, putting it all on the linen the opening lap. Getting in amongst the Mclaren’s, the Ferrari’s and he just thought he is coming alive from nowhere.”

via Reuters

He added, “The guy who made Q3 when we didn’t know if he definitely make it out of Q1. It was a very Alonsoish weekend, but sadly also in the way it all petted out into nothing. He was outside of the top ten and parked it halfway through.”

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“It was Alonso from the McLaren years, sadly getting the most he could get out of the car from what we could see but, no points and the team, no points, Struggling.” Palmer concluded.

The two-time world champion had fun despite a DNF

After the race, the Spanish driver stated he had fun around the track. Alonso left F1 back in 2018 but when Alpine called him for 2021 season he signed on the dotted line. However, the dream returned never came to be as a brake issue caused a DNF.

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In his post-race interview, Alonso said, “Apparently there were some debris on the brake cooling duct, so that’s a little bit unlucky because there’s a hole of this size (a small shape) and to get some debris there is a bad casualty but apparently that is what happened today.

“But we have to take it and learn, and until that point it was fun. It was a fun race to be out there and have some battles with my colleagues and hopefully in Imola we will be ready and try again.”

via Reuters

Will Alonso prove himself when he takes to the grid in Imola? Can he put up a fight against the mid-field teams that consist of McLaren and Aston Martin? We shall soon find out.

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Bahrain GP: Yuki Tsunoda Reveals ‘Emotional’ Significance of Passing Alonso

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Written by:

Arpit Gomes

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Arpit Gomes is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his Journalism degree from Xavier’s Institute, he is a big fan of McLaren and their driver Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Arpit always looks forward to the paddock moving to Spa and drivers dealing with the exciting Eau Rouge corner as well the straight at Monza.
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