Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso feels Sebastian Vettel can’t underestimate a potential comeback to Formula 1 if he wishes to return to the sport.
Vettel, who retired from F1 in 2022 after 15 seasons, failed to rule out the idea of returning to the sport following a demonstration run of his 2011 title-winning Red Bull RB7.
Alonso also made an F1 comeback in 2021 after leaving the sport in 2018 following a dismal four stint with McLaren.
“I was not in the interview or the conversation,” said Alonso to the media. “So sometimes we read the headline, and you don’t know exactly what it comes from and what the tone of the answers.
“So it’s up to him obviously if he thinks about [it], as I said, I think when Daniel [Ricciardo] came back it is [was] a challenge. It cannot be underestimated.
“Going back to F1, it could be a challenge for sure.”
Battle for second
Since taking over from Vettel at Aston Martin in 2023, Alonso has enjoyed a stellar run of form, finishing on the podium seven times and currently holds third in the drivers standings.
Alonso’s run of podiums initially put Aston Martin second in the constructors’ championship, only for rivals Ferrari and Mercedes to catch up in the second half of 2023, demoting the Silverstone-based outfit to fourth.
“I think it’s going to be up and down for everybody,” Alonso said when asked about the battle for second.
“We saw during the season, you know, some moments on some races it seems we were the second fastest [car].
“In some races, we feel we are the fifth or the sixth fastest [car]. So this is difficult to guess, but you know we are in a position that is a privilege to have.
“Fighting with top teams and still enjoying every moment in every weekend. But yeah, let’s see. I think we have to go [into every] race and be very open [on] our chances. If we can score many points, we will fight for second.”
