Two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso thrilled as he proves the sceptics wrong with Qatar podium.

Returning to F1 this season after walking away at the end of 2018, many felt that while Fernando Alonso was worth more than two titles the sport had moved on while he was away.

Despite a somewhat shaky start it soon became clear that the Samurai Spaniard had lost none of his guile, none of his pace, none of his desire to win.

Out-scoring his younger teammate 11-9 in qualifying the 40-year-old has also had the edge on race day, and despite Esteban Ocon's win in Hungary has 77 points to the youngster's 60.

Qatar marked the Spaniard's return to the podium for the first time since 2014 (Hungary), as he became the third driver over 40 in 35 years to make it to the podium.

"Unbelievable," declared the Spaniard at race end. "Seven years, but finally we got it.

"We were close a couple of races," he added, "but not enough. Sochi was the last possibility.

"Obviously, a long wait from the last podium," he continued. "2014... but yeah, I'm happy for this one.

"I think we executed a good race, a one-stop strategy, the car was great all weekend and in qualifying the pace obviously helped to start at the front.

"Also, with the penalties... we overtook Gasly in Turn 2, that also helped our race, to have a little bit cleaner air.

"Obviously a long wait," he grinned. "Your career sometimes goes up and down. I had wonderful moments two, three years ago winning Le Mans, winning the world championship in Endurance... but obviously coming back now in preparation for 2022, and the new rules and have this podium now, at the end of the year, it feels really nice, and I think we are more ready than what we were ten months ago.

"Probably as a weekend in general, this one was the best," he added, "as Friday, Saturday, Sunday was very consistent. Sochi was quite well executed as well, only the rain at the end stopped us from the podium there.

"The last part of this 2021 is another level compared to the first part. I'm happy with this year of comeback and this preparation into next year is definitely another level now."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Qatar, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 23/11/2021 10:27

"@Defiant...thank you for your comment. Alonso's critics are one dimensional and fail to see just what a great driver Alonso really is. He didn't pull off the Indy500 but hey, what an effort he put in to get the results that he did. His WEC exploits are as good as they get and anyone who watched his night time stints at Le Mans saw a master in control. He was nothing short of excellent. That puts him in amongst the all time greats IMO. He is not finished yet. Go Fernando, it's not yet time to relax in the poolside chair with a daiquiri or two....."

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2. Posted by Defiant, 23/11/2021 4:39

"Yeah you're right there Kenji. He really does entertain. He is relentless, he really did deserve that podium this weekend. I still cant forgive him for his 1st time at McLaren but the flip side to that coin is admiration for his dogged determination throughout the rest of his career. He really is one of the best, but his record doesn't show just how good."

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3. Posted by MVR, 23/11/2021 0:27

"I haven't seen it mentioned here on Pitpass - but on Sunday during the race there was an infographic on TV that stated Alonso had overtaken more cars than any other driver this season."

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4. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 22/11/2021 16:47

"Good to see him competitive on the podium. More champions we seeing winning and podium's; the better."

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5. Posted by kenji, 22/11/2021 10:08

"Alonso rarely fails to entertain. Very glad to see him get a well earned podium. I expect that all the usual crowd of Alonso's dissidents will find something to complain about but for the moment Fernando,....just enjoy the result. Your F1 exploits are appreciated. A drivers driver through and through."

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"Unbelievable, seven years, but finally we got it!"

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