Fernando Alonso to miss presentation of Alpine’s 2021 F1 car

Fernando Alonso will not be present at Alpine’s launch of its 2021 Formula 1 car, the team has confirmed.

Following its rebrand from Renault to Alpine, the French manufacturer will unveil its Renault-powered A521 challenger and new livery for the upcoming 2021 season next week at a virtual launch event on Tuesday 2 March.

But two-time world champion Alonso, who is returning to F1 after a two-year hiatus from the sport, will not be part of the rebranded squad’s launch event. Alpine says the Spaniard cannot yet do “any communications and marketing activities” while he continues to recover from injuries he sustained in a cycling accident.

Alonso had to undergo a corrective operation for a fractured jaw earlier this month after he was hit by a car while cycling near his home in Switzerland as part of his training programme ahead of his F1 comeback.

The 39-year-old is expected to be fully fit in time to take part in pre-season testing in Bahrain between 12-14 March, where he is now also set to carry out his first official media duties for Alpine.

“We regret to confirm that Fernando Alonso will not be present for the media Q&A on this occasion,” an Alpine team statement read.

“The sanitary situation and corresponding regulations in place do not allow him to do any communications and marketing activities while he undertakes his critical season preparation.”

Alonso will partner Esteban Ocon at Alpine as it looks to improve on its fifth place finish in the 2020 constructors’ championship this season, which begins on 28 March with the Bahrain Grand Prix.