Fernando Alonso says the reaction to his laps in the 2005 Renault at Yas Marina proves what Formula 1 is missing today, the noise.
While there might be no fans in Abu Dhabi, team personnel up and down the grid have been emerging from the garage to watch the double world champion take his V10-powered R25 for a spin, at what is Renault’s last race before it is rebranded as Alpine in 2021.
Footage from his laps on social media have also gained a huge amount of attention from fans, and Alonso isn’t surprised by the rush of nostalgia being felt.
“It is something that we are missing honestly,” he said on Saturday.
“I think not only the fans, everyone in the paddock, we miss the sound. We miss the Formula 1 that we got in love with when we were kids and we were watching television.
“So now, to witness this car at this circuit, I think it was pretty special for everyone in the paddock.
“It was nice to say hi to everyone and it was not only the Renault mechanics, everyone was out in the pit lane.
“I think it’s a nice spirit when you see this kind of technology and that kind of era you know. It united all of us in one way.”
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On his second outing after qualifying, Alonso bolted on some soft tyres and according to Renault, posted a 1m39s, matching Lewis Hamilton’s fastest lap from the race last year.
“We are at the same times as the [current] cars in race conditions, which is quite amazing. So you know, it feels very fast. The sound is fantastic, and it sounds fast,” the 39-year-old continued.
“Behind the wheel, you feel the vibrations, you feel everything. It is a very light car, so you feel all the motions.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m still smiling. I have the mask on but I will be smiling until probably 2021.”
Though his championship-winning machine is now 15 years old, and very valuable, Alonso was asked why he hasn’t been afraid to push his Renault R25 to its limit.
“Honestly I cannot go slow with this car,” he said. “Every time I’m in this cockpit and I’m in this car, with all the memories, it becomes natural to drive fast.
“To feel the speed is amazing. I know it’s an old car, but it’s a perfect machine for me.”
