Alonso discusses the rustiness he experienced after his comeback.

      Fernando Alonso has shared an honest insight regarding the mental struggles of staying motivated in years without wins, along with the unexpected "slowness" he experienced upon returning to Formula 1 after a break. In an interview with DAZN, nearly twenty years post his second and final championship, the 44-year-old veteran discussed the internal dialogues and determination necessary when results are lacking.

      “When you haven’t won in a while and don’t have the right equipment, like I did in recent years with the car, you have to engage in conversations with yourself, often,” he stated. “At home, you have to push yourself to train alone. You spend hours talking to yourself, reflecting on your past and your achievements, reminding yourself that you are still the same person, not the one who currently struggles to achieve the desired results.

      “You can’t allow your ego to take over because that will hinder your progress. However, you do need a strong sense of self-worth and confidence,” he emphasized. “Whether things are going well or not, that confidence must remain unwavering. Balancing ego and confidence is challenging.”

      Alonso also recounted the surprise of feeling less competitive after his hiatus from the sport. “When I first returned to F1, I believed I was performing just as well as before,” he recalled. “However, the lap times indicated otherwise — they showed I was several tenths slower.

      “I couldn’t figure out how to regain those tenths because I was pushing myself to my limits. It’s a cognitive aspect, something inherent that we develop through practice. After a break, it requires a sort of ‘reset’," he explained. “It’s akin to getting back on a bicycle and needing to readjust the balance. These tasks, which appear simple from the outside, involve talent. You may be able to quickly get back to speed, but your body, mind, and senses need to be reactivated.”