Fernando Alonso says he is one of Formula 1’s “most complete” drivers, given his ability to perform across multiple eras in his storied career.
A two-time F1 world champion, Alonso’s career has spanned V10, V8 and V6 hybrid-turbo engines, and several aerodynamic revolutions in the sport.
Now after two years away from F1, the Spaniard will return with Alpine (currently Renault) in 2021, where he will experience another radical change in the cars with the new technical regulations for the 2022 season.
Currently promoting his new Amazon Prime documentary series Fernando, Alonso was asked whether he agrees with the assessment he is one of the sport’s “most complete” drivers.
“I must agree,” he said. “I consider myself to be quite complete – maybe I score a nine in everything.
“Maybe there’s a faster driver in wet conditions or on Saturday or on the starting line, one that’s better than me… But I think I’m close to the top in many circumstances and categories, and in the championship that’s a good thing to have.
“It’s like when you have any top athlete doing good in every single category, in the end you win.”
However of all his strengths, the Spaniard, who has spent his sabbatical from F1 exploring series such as the Dakar Rally and IndyCar, says it is his adaptability that sets him apart.
“Throughout my career, when the engines were V10 or V8, we were there all the time, with Michelin, Pirelli, we were still there in the top positions.”
“The wet conditions were always good for me, and now when I’ve gone to other categories, to go to the Dakar Rally and be amongst the top five was a good surprise for me. To jump in a car and… be able to lead in the Indy 500 was a surprise to me.
“So you discover yourself as a driver who can adapt to any car, circumstance or category, and you start to harness that for your own benefit.
“You’re aware of your limitations – you try to hide them to not give any openings to your rivals or opponents. But your qualities, you try to emphasise them. And that’s what I intend to do – I try to emphasise them better than others.”