The Asturian advanced in Canada that he will make a decision on his future after the summer, although all indications are that he will continue in Alpine except for a last minute change
When Fernando Alonso started the 2022 Formula 1 season, his 19th for him, there was a little buzz in the minds of his fans: would it be the last? It was a background noise, like a small buzz behind the ear. Nothing serious, because it looked like it was going to become a constant, like the heat in the summer or the government’s lack of foresight, any color despite its consequences, like fires.
Alonso, however, found himself in an almost unprecedented circumstance. After the first races of the year, Alonso’s future was called into question. What seemed obvious, as if he was going for one last trial lesson in the near future, was noticeably obscured. The absence of Óscar Piastri, a driver who had successively won Euroformula, F3 and F2 on the grid this season, raised suspicions, especially when Alonso’s raw results, without context, offered no argument to explain their presence.
However two times World Champion he was, however much experience he could bring to the team and however many examples he could give Esteban Ocon, doubts began to arise within Alpine. Two points in the first race and drought until Barcelona. It’s true that the A522 wasn’t, and wasn’t, for rocket-throwing, but many saw a clear end to the cycle in Alonso.
At the same time, he is oblivious to the rumors or doubts he might have himself: was it worth following? On the verge of being 41 years old, with an exciting new romantic partner and won it all, why keep going around the world without a real chance at winning? In addition, other adventures far from Formula 1 still sent siren songs to him. To name one of the many calls it has received: Ferrari has already scoured the area for a hypothetical seat in the LMDh category prototype that they will compete with during the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 2023.
In the end, all these variables solved a single problem: Alpine wanted to place Piastri, but couldn’t get anywhere. That doubt has now been removed through engines.
The summer period is traditionally used for drivers and teams to complete their contracts. Despite the rush that has spread across Alonso and Alpine for obvious reasons, neither one nor the other seems in a hurry to announce it. In fact, the Spanish pilot has been clear: he will speak after the summer.
“I am waiting for the summer holidays to make decisions. There has been no news, I have not spoken to anyone and nothing has happened. My intention is to continue for a few more years because I feel good, but in the summer I will speak,” he assured on the Canadian circuit, where he is looking for his fourth race between the points in a row this weekend.
It’s clear that Alonso knows he has his future in his hands. Whether it’s in Formula 1, where he doesn’t lack offers or doors to knock, or in other competitions, whether Alonso leaves the big circus depends as much on himself as it is on the team. It’s not that they need each other as no one is essential, but it’s clear that dating can be very positive for both of them if they’re patient.
For this reason, Alpine has sought a compromise between kicking Alonso out and leaving Piastri without the seat he deserves. The team has enticed Williams with an irrefutable offer to supply Renault engines, at a much more affordable price than Mercedes, and that would allow them to drop the ballast Nicholas Latifi currently represents.
The Canadians’ economic contribution is no longer enough, as they do not accompany the sporting results, so they have taken stock: whether they can carry Renault engines, which are not bad at all, and they can also count on a driver from the future like Piastri next to an Alex Albon who left them with very good feelings at the moment, why let the opportunity pass?
Neither one nor the other confirm, but it is an open secret. Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer kept his mouth shut in Canada: “We don’t discuss the details of our contracts with the drivers and we never do. So as much as I’d love to tell you, I don’t think I can. Anyway, yes, that’s the plan (for Piastri to compete in 2023) ».
That signing may be urgent as there are voices pointing to it being announced at the British GP, but what is clear is that Piastri’s baptism as a new Formula 1 member is a matter of weeks or at most months. It remains only to find the suit for such an occasion.
If Alonso finally, as everything seems to indicate, renews with Alpine for 2023, he will complete his twentieth season as a Formula 1 driver. this year in Singapore except for debacle, but with the same goal as last year: to get the third title.
While Alpine hasn’t made the leap in quality they expected, it’s clear to the Asturier that once they give him a competitive car, he’ll stop in the rest. In a way, it benefits him that there is fighting from above. With the Mercedes team somewhat hesitant after a 2022 in which they clearly haven’t hit the key with the good car and a Ferrari and Red Bull whose battle between the two could take focus for development of the next single-seater, Alonso is confident Alpine will gives him a decent weapon.
The advantage is that once the car is good it goes from fighting for sixth or seventh to steady third or fourth, with the assurance that the podium is possible and not a dream. As always, eyes will be on the factory from the moment he signs his extension.
Source: La Verdad
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