Following Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement at the end of 2021, Alonso, who turned 40 last July, will become the oldest driver on the F1 grid this season. Next up&nbs⛄p;is 37-year-old Lewis Hamilton.

The two-time world champion returned to F1 last season after a two-year hiatus and scored🧔 a podium finish in Qatar to cap off a strong comeback season in which he helped Alpine clinch fifth place in the constructors’ standings. 

Alonso insists he has no problem with being the oldest F1 driver and reckons his experi✃ence racing in the Worl🐓d Endurance Championship could hand him the edge in one particular area. 

“On the age, I feel good, honestly I feel an advanta⛦ge,” Alonso said. “When I come to a circuit, I know the circuit🍬s. Now everyone is testing this 18-inch tyre and I know very well these tyres from the WEC. 

“There is exactly the ওsame behaviour on the tyres and the same way you have to🌠 drive the tyre, which is very different. So all the things I am facing, for other people are live for the first time, and for me this is the second or third time. This is good.”

Alonso said the biggest challenge facing modern-day F1 drivers is the dedication required to spend mo𝄹st of the year travelling, as the world championship continues to expand its calendar. 

The upcoming 2022 campaig♌n is set to be F1’s longest-ever season, consisting of a record-breaking 23 rounds. But fo🌜r Alonso, this is not an issue. 

“The only problem to be older is that you have t✨o have the motivation to go into a season that you will be 300 days per year away,” he explained. 

“You have to have that desire, you have to have 💟t🥃hat lifestyle that allows you to dedicate yourself to this sport.

“Apart from that, all the other things are advantages. So because I'm in a moment in life that I want to dedicate my moment in time ꦇto F1, it’s fantastic. I think I only see advantages.

“And then, physically, I think the cars of today are not v♒ery demanding. I think 2004-05, maybe the age was a limitation.”

Alonso’s preparations for his F1 comeback where hampered by a cycling accident while training early last year that left him with a broken jaw and needing t𝐆o have titanium plates fitted. 

Earlier this month, Alonso underwent a successful second operation to𝔍 have the plates removed. After a small recovery period, he will resume training ahead of the new season. 

Asked if he was planning any special preparation this winter for 2022💮, Alonso quipped: “I don’t need. I’m super strong, I’m ready. I can start the season next week in Bahrain! 

“No, I was planning to have a different preparation next year, not becaus🗹e the cars will be different, but just because this winter [2021] I couldn’t do a proper preparation because of the bike accident.

“I was just counting the days to g🃏o to Bahrain and it was just on time to go to Bahrain but not with a proper physical programme. This winter I want to do it a little bit more.

"Obviously, I don’t tr🎶ain the same now that I will be 40 than when🥂 I was 23,” he added. 

“You have to train more, you have to stretch more, you have to have a different food rওoutine. You have to do many, many other things to be at the same shape and with the same strength. 

“I am ready to do so, that’s🎃 why I came back as well. There are more sacrifices to do but♐ that is the plan for this winter. 

“I will be as strong as I can and I will know I will have to train and I will have to do m🦩ore than other drivers because I am older than them.”