Fernando Alonso has made his debut behind the wheel of Alpine’s 2021 Formula 1 car, the A521, on the second morning ඣof pre-season testing in Bahrain.

The returning two-time world champion is driving for the new-look Alpine team on the second day of winter testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, after teammate Esteban Ocon logged 129 laps on a strong opening day for the En🎃stone-based squad.

Following its rebrand from Renault, Alpine’s new-look 2021 car features a striking blue, red and white livery, as well as an eye-catching, bulbous airbox and engꦍine cover design.

Alonso revealed on the first day of pre-season testing that he will race with titaniu💃m plates in his jaw throughout♔ the 2021 F1 season before he has further surgery at the end of the year after breaking it in a cycling accident last month.

Speaking about his desire to return to F1 on Friday, Alonso said: “I tജhink the main thing or wh🃏y I’m here and came back is because I felt that I was at my best in the last couple of years, in the last couple of months.

“I felt that I was꧋ driving better tha𝕴n ever and I had to make a decision on what was the next challenge after Le Mans, Indy, Dakar - all of the things that I’ve tried.

“I thought being at my best now, maybe Formula 1 was the place to be and I have time in the future to rethink some of the challenges that were not completed. So that was the main thing𝐆, I felt that I had something🐲 to do here again.

“To win races, to win championships, I think you need a few more things than just your motivation or beliefs,” he added. “You need the packag🎉e, you need the luck, you need the momentum.

“It’s something🤪 that we want to build with the new Alpine name and the team. So I cannot guarant🌠ee that, but we will  fight for those wins and those championships in the future if we do the things that we have in our heads. But we are not racing alone.”