Esteban Ocon believes Fernando Alonso returns to Formula 1 at the same level he was at when he left back in 2018.
The Spaniard is back on the grid this season after a two-year absence, during which he competed in WEC, the Indianapolis 500 and Dakar Rally to name a few.
And with the aura around Alonso from his first F1 career still as strong as ever, few are giving Ocon a chance to beat him at Alpine despite having youth and recent experience on his side.
“Fernando is a two-times world champion, it will be the first time I will work alongside a world champion and that’s very interesting, so, yes, I expect him to be a tough opponent, for sure,' Esteban said via Crash.net as to whether Alonso will be stronger than previous teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
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Ahead of his return, Alonso hit the track both in the 2018 and 2020 cars last year, and having watched on in Abu Dhabi last year, Ocon believes any rust has already gone.
"He doesn’t look like a 39-year-old and he doesn’t drive like a 39-year-old, trust me he will be performing at a top level,” he said via The Race.
“At the moment, what I’ve seen is basically his level at the test, which was I think quite impressive for a comeback, definitely, he will be at the level [he was before in 2018].
“Fernando has had so much testing and so much preparation that he will be ready, no problem," Ocon added.
“He’s done so many kilometres, he’s been to the factory, he’s been to the races. He won the title with Enstone as well in 2005 and 2006.
“Things have changed around, but you still find the people you work with back in those days and yeah, he basically knows 80% of the people here at the factory.
“He will be set and he will be ready, no problem.”
Rather than just return at the same level he was at in 2018, however, Alonso believes he comes back better after his recent stints in sportscars and other one-off events.
"I became a more complete driver," he insists. "You constantly learn when you push yourself to new limits and when you are out of your comfort zone.
"Without a doubt, I'm a more competent driver now than two years ago but I want to improve even more as a driver.
"I took a lot of learnings from the last two years away from the sport and I want to consolidate these and apply them in F1. For example, different philosophies of racing, driving techniques and approaches to work ethic.
"In terms of results it's so difficult to predict," he admits. "Last year the midfield pack was very close so this year anything can happen."
