Fernando Alonso to race for Alpine all season with titanium plates in jaw

Two-times Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso mentioned on Friday he expects to race all season with titanium plates in his damaged jaw.
The 39-year-old Spaniard advised reporters at testing in Bahrain on Friday that he didn’t anticipate any points on observe, nonetheless, in what can be his comeback marketing campaign after two years away.
“I’ve been training for two weeks as normal. I’ve been in the simulator as well on Monday and Tuesday,” he mentioned when requested concerning the lingering results of a highway accident in Switzerland whereas biking in February.
“The preparations were not affected too much, I missed only a couple of marketing and filming days which I was happy in a way (to miss),” added the Alpine driver, who was absent from the workforce’s livery launch. “I feel fine.”
“I will have to remove two titanium plates that I have on the upper jaw, they will be removed I think at the end of the season. So, still something going on after the championship finishes but it will not be affecting my professional life.”
Alonso, who gained his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, final raced in Formula One with McLaren in 2018. He can be 40 in July however continues to be youthful than Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen.
Asked about his objectives, and whether or not he might hope to win races and championships once more with a workforce that completed fifth final yr, the two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner mentioned he nonetheless had a lot to supply.
“The main (reason) why I am here or came back is because I felt I was at my best in the last couple of years, I felt I was driving better than ever and had to make a decision on what was the next challenge,” Alonso mentioned.
“I assumed that being at my greatest now, Formula One was the place to be.
“To win races and championships I think you need a few more things than just your motivation or beliefs. You need a package, the luck, the momentum. It’s something we want to build with the new Alpine name.”