Formula 1 ‘silly season’ was sent into overdrive over the 2022 summer break, as Alpine driver Fernando Alonso announced that he would drive for Aston Martin in 2023, replacing the retiring Sebastian Vettel.
The Spaniards move shocked many in the paddock as his current employers were battling for the best of the rest spot in the championship, while Aston Martin were struggling to even score points.
Since taking part in the post season tests with Aston Martin in Abu Dhabi, it appears that Alonso’s decision may have been vindicated as he claimed that the quality and potential of the staff at his new team is better than anything he has come across before.
The 41-year-old has boldly claimed that he believes Aston Martin could be title challengers within a couple of seasons, leading fans to predict another Alonso meltdown when the team do not match his expectations.
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Alonso has suggested that he is over the moon to be at Aston Martin and has now hinted that he could extend his stay with the team even after his racing days are over.
“At the moment, I don’t have anything clear in my head,” said Alonso via GPFans, when asked about his plans after retirement.
“I know that I will stop driving eventually one day and I will have at that time maybe 25 years of experience.
“I can be very useful for any team and that team, I hope, is Aston Martin. Just to continue anything that we are doing in the next few years.”
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Despite the fact that Alonso will turn 42 this season, he is showing no signs of slowing down and without the six engine failures that he suffered in 2022, he may have even finished above Lando Norris as the best of the rest driver last season.
Heading into Aston Martin the Spaniard will have to bury the hatchet with his new teammate Lance Stroll after the pair came together at the US Grand Prix in Austin, which resulted in Alonso being launched airborne by the Canadian.
Team principal of Aston Martin Mike Krack has suggested that if his team are to keep their new signing happy, they need to keep an open and honest dialogue with him about their realistic expectations for the future.