The signing of Fernando Alonso by Aston Martin has moved all the pieces of the Formula 1 grid. The departure of Vettel and the entry of the Asturian to the British team is going to trigger several turns in the transfer market of the big circus. An unexpected signing even for the Alpine team itself, which was thinking of 2023 with Alonso in its ranks. “In my case, I had never experienced anything like this”, says Otmar Szafnauer, CEO and team leader of Alpine, in an interview on The confidential.
The Alpine team leader wanted to review the current situation of the team at a turbulent time for those of Enstone. Alonso’s talks with Alpine were well advanced, but the offer from Aston Martin arrived and Alonso decided on the ‘green team’. “We had many conversations with Fernando, we wanted him to stay. Nothing is certain until it is signed.” says the Alpine boss. He adds that the details of the contract with Aston Martin would be more attractive to the Spaniard than those offered by them. Aston Martin will offer about 20 million euros per season (in Alpine he charged 17.5) to the two-time world champion.
He has also clarified that he knows the reasons why Fernando has left and believes that one of them “was the extension of the contract”. Alonso signed a contract for two seasons (one plus one) and for Szafnauer the Spaniard wanted a long-term project. Alpine’s director comments that with a pilot of greater veteran it is necessary to analyze it every year since others like Schumacher in his day were beaten. Nevertheless, Fernando at 41 has shown to compete at the highest level and if it weren’t for the reliability of the Alpine, his numbers would be much better than the 41 points he has in 13 races. Perhaps that lack of confidence in his worth has made Alonso leave Enstone for Silverstone. The problems with Ocon in several races and the possible entry of Piastri have also weakened the Alonso-Alpine project in recent months.
“We had many conversations with Fernando, we wanted him to stay”
The next few months
The situation with Alonso and Alpine could go awry as in a few months the man from Oviedo will be a direct rival of Alpine in the middle zone. It is already well known that when a pilot changes to another neighborhood, the teams limit transcendental information to that pilot. From Szafnauer’s point of view, the goal is to be fourth in the Constructors’ World Championship and nothing more. “The relationship between now and the end of the year is going to be focused on beating McLaren. I am very competitive. And this competitive instinct also has Fernando. It doesn’t matter if he goes to Aston Martin next year.”
Another hot topic in the current Alonso team has been the announcement of Oscar Piastri as its official driver, although the driver denied it as soon as he knew about it. Szafnauer has clarified that the contract with Piastri is still in force and the Australian can race with them in 2023. “We have a contract with Piastri, who signed in November, We have spoken with our lawyers and they have told us that this is a binding contract.”
“We wanted Fernando with us one more year and then a loan from Oscar for 2023″
In this season Szafnauer commented that Piastri would race in 2023 yes or yes in Formula 1. However, for the Romanian manager the situation with Piastri did not influence that of Alonso. “That contract allows us to mount Oscar in one of our cars in 2023. Hence the statement. There is also an option for 2024 and the possibility of loaning the driver to another team.. We wanted Fernando with us for one more year and then a loan from Oscar for 2023.”
Before the possible signing of the young Australian by McLaren, since apparently he has signed a pre-contract, the Romanian defends the bet they have made for him from the formulas. “He expected more loyalty from Piastri. He should have her with that team that has taken care of him, that has taken him to the World Cup and, above all, that during the last year he has climbed into a Formula 1.” If Piastri finally doesn’t race in Alpine, Szafnauer comments that he has up to fourteen drivers in mind to relieve Alonso and four with more options, “among which is Piastri”. If their signing does not arrive, they will go to court for damages since “it is logical and fair that we seek compensation”closes the CEO of Alpine.
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