Alonso says he’s enjoyed the best start to a season ‘in 10 years’ in 2022

Fernando Alonso is heading into the first ever Miami Grand Prix imbued with confidence, despite having claimed just two points from the first four races of the season. Why? Because according to the two-time world champion, he’s driving at his most competitive level since 2012...

Alonso currently sits in 15th in the drivers’ championship, six places behind his Alpine team mate Esteban Ocon, who has 20 points. Alonso took the chequered flag in P9 in the opening race in Bahrain, but since then, the Spaniard has failed to finish races in Saudi Arabia and Imola, while he claimed P17 in Australia, where a hydraulics issue saw him crash out in qualifying.

And while Alonso admits it has been a “tough” stretch for him and his team, he was unequivocal about the level he's driving at currently.

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“It has been [tough to only have two points],” said Alonso. “It feels a little bit strange to have two points in the championship after having probably my best start to the season in terms of competitiveness in the last 10 years, maybe [since] 2012.

“[In that time] I was not as competitive as I've felt in these first four races, so we've been extremely unlucky with some of the events that happened. [I lost] very easy sixth in Saudi, obviously the problems in Melbourne with qualifying and then in the race, and then again in Lap 1 in Imola, we were out of the race.

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“We've been quite competitive every session that we did so far this year; I think we are top six, top seven, and that didn't happen for sure in my McLaren years, or the last few seasons in Ferrari, or last year with Alpine. So that's the facts that I'm referring to.

“So, it's a matter of time until the result will come. I feel strong, I feel fast now, the car also feels good, so really looking forward to the race weekend.”

Alonso was then asked to look ahead to the first ever race around the Miami International Autodrome, with the Spanish racer – who finished Free Practice 2 on Friday in a strong P5 – speaking of the “challenge” the drivers face with not only adapting to a new circuit, but a new street circuit.

“Obviously, it is always a challenge when you come to a new circuit,” continued Alonso. “You have to get the confidence immediately into the circuit; street circuits [never] have any room to make mistakes, the walls are very close, so it’s a matter of each of us adapting as quick as you can.

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“Also, these type of tracks, when they are new, there is a huge track evolution, so when you jump in the car you improve by a matter of seconds, so your confidence has to keep that progression as well. So, it's going to be a fun weekend, we are all super-happy to come here and see the excitement from the fans and from everyone. I think it's going to be a good weekend.”

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