Alonso positively surprised by Alpine: 'I'm happy'

After the first week of testing in Barcelona, there were mostly questions and concerns. One week later in Bahrain, Alpine is a lot more cheerful. On the last day Fernando Alonso even realized a good fourth time. Admittedly one second behind Max Verstappen, but with a tire with a compound harder than the world champion.

In Barcelona, the new Alpine was anything but reliable. In Bahrain, things went much better and that is creating a lot of positivism for Alonso, notes the Spanish newspaper AS. Their journalist saw a big smile from the two-time champion. The newspaper notes that Alonso always has a strong belief that things will work out with Alpine. Even after the difficult start.

After the test, the Spaniard spoke of a very good day for his team. "We needed a good day without any problems," said Alonso. "We had that yesterday with Esteban Ocon and today with me. So in two days we learned a lot about the car."

A fourth time is obviously a boost, but it is no certainty that Alpine will be able to achieve the same in a week's time at the opening race. Alonso is hopeful that the upward trend will continue then. "I think we will be much better prepared at the start than I thought before arriving here in Bahrain. We are happy."