How pleasing it was to enjoy again the irrepressible, beaming smile that lit up Fernando Alonso’s face after his podium finish at Formula One’s season opener in Bahrain. The Spaniard was positively bouncing round the paddock, once more revelling in competing at the front end of the grid.
Alonso’s performance and that of his Aston Martin team was as unexpected as it was welcome. Their turnaround from last year has been exceptional while Alonso delivered a drive to remind everyone that even at 41, he remains a force to be reckoned with. At the Jeddah circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, F1’s surprise package of the 2023 season will once more take centre stage as both here and at the next round in Australia will demonstrate just how competitive they really are.
