Alonso looking for return of 'wow' factor in 2017

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Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso says that he hopes next year's new technical regulations will enable to him to rediscover some of the raw fun and enjoyment in the sport that he remembers feeling as a rookie, especially after two frustrating seasons at McLaren.

Alonso said that he believes wider tyres and faster tyres could be the key to achieving that.

"It means that you are very excited in the car when you jump in. I expect the feeling of ‘wow’ again - as when I started in Formula One!" Alonso told the official Formula One website this week.

Alonso has been in Formula One for 16 years, having made his Grand Prix début in Australia with the Minardi team in 2001. Four seasons at Benetton saw him pick up back-to-back world titles in 2005 and 2006, before he subsequently moved to Ferrari and then a return to McLaren where he had originally spent a year in 2007.

However dominant spells in the sport for first Red Bull and now Mercedes have meant he's been unable to pick up further titles. Despite that, Alonso insists he still feels blessed by his long career in Formula One.

"I have been so lucky in my entire career to fight for championships - yes, there have been more good opportunities for me but for one reason or the other it did not happen.

"Another championship is the ultimate target - and we are working hard on that project. And with the new regulations in place next year we will probably get the excitement back as the cars will be much more attractive - and much faster."

But if the new rules don't re-energise his love of the sport, Alonso hinted that he might be looking to move on.

"Next year I'll take stock," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "The important thing is that I have fun again. 2017 will give me answers to my questions: Are the cars as quickly as they used to be? Do I continue to save tyres and fuel?"

And the biggest question of all for Alonso is whether the rule changes will enable other teams to get on an even footing with Mercedes.

"That's why it was so important that F1 gets a new set of regulations," Alonso agreed. "That's the question mark for everyone. But that's also all hope. Otherwise Mercedes will just extend its advantage even further."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.