Fernando Alonso has joked that 2021 team boss Cyril Abiteboul is already “getting tired” of him. Indeed, contrary to his reputation for being difficult to work with, 39-year-old Alonso has appeared intensely focused and motivated on his preparations to race for Alpine next year. “Half an hour ago I sent him (Renault boss Abiteboul) three messages. The Spaniard said he is used to the fact that observers always seem “very surprised” to hear that he is highly motivated within a team, rather than notoriously difficult and demanding. “It seems like people are very surprised every time they hear this about me, but I’ve always been like that,” said the two-time champion, who has been on F1 sabbatical for the past two seasons.

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