Alonso speaks clearly: The only one who doesn’t know is Szafnauer

Fernando Alonso I have a lot to say. At first Big prize of F1 after the holidays, and therefore the first after he announced his farewell to Alpine and his signing for Aston Martin for the next course, the Asturian had to explain at length the reasons that led him to make that decision when everything seemed ready to continue with the French team. And so are the reasons why Otmar Szafnauer was surprised by his decision, who is Alpine’s boss himself said he knew nothing about it. Fernando admits that Otmar probably doesn’t know anything, but the rest of the group does, leaves szafnauer in a clear offside position. Alonso made it clear that he made the decision to go to Aston Martin because of the greater confidence he showed in him, while Alpine does not guarantee him more than a year and that he will continue to be evaluated. He didn’t feel as loved as he needed to be and found what he was looking for in the Silverstone outfit.

“Right now I know where Alpine is and where Aston Martin is,” he clarified on the current grid position of both teams, with Alpine showing a better performance. But he clarified: “But looking to the future, there may be more possibilities in Aston Martin. Or at least, that’s what I believe and hope for.”

“In Formula 1 or in any sport, you win or you don’t. It doesn’t matter if you’re fourth, ninth or 13th, you’re first or you don’t win,” he added.

“In addition, there is confidence, thinking that I can contribute a lot to the team. At Alpine every year they would evaluate me because of my age and things like that. While in Aston Martin I found a proposal in which they welcome me with open arms and they put all their trust in me, without looking at the passport, just the results. When the results are bad, I will be the first to leave,” he clarified.

THE ASTON MARTIN NEGOTIATIONS

“Everything happened very quickly. On Thursday Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement and I got a call from Aston Martin to see how I was doing. They asked me if I had renewed at Alpine. And I told them that no, that I was just having conversations. We sat down to talk and I told them my intentions. They accepted and told me about the project they had with people joining and the new installations that they were doing. In a few minutes we agreed. We signed and my signing was announced on Monday”.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE ASTON MARTIN PROJECT

“The talent they signed. People from Red Bull and Mercedes. It’s a prestigious brand, with a future, and behind it is a great investment from both Lawrence Stroll, and from the sponsors they managed to attract : Aramco , Cognizant, Hugo Boss… Many people are involved in this project of the highest quality and I hope it will turn out well.”

ALPINE WAITED ON THE PIASTRI SITUATION

“I understand the situation that Alpine has with Piastri. He is a young talent for many years and has an incredible projection. They have to find a solution. Luca de Meo has already said this. They have three drivers and two only car. They were forced to find a solution for Piastri and for me. The Oscar thing is something temporary (a loan to another team) because when I finish they can count on him. But when you feel too much about one place and another he welcomes you with open arms, it’s the best place to be.”

A PODIUM WITH ALPINE IN OUR 9 RACES?

“My goal is to try to get on the podium. I told the mechanics and the engineers when I told them my decision. I hope I can finish on the podium and everyone can enjoy.”

PARTNER STROLL, ASTON MARTIN OWNER’S SON

“I’ve known Lance since he was 13, when he was at the Ferrari Drivers Academy, and I also know Lawrence (Lance’s father, the owner of Aston Martin) very well. It will be different. I haven’t been in yet. a team where the owner competed with his son. But we have things that are very clear. We talked about it, about how we both can develop together, about helping each other and trying to improve Aston Martin as a brand.”