After more than 20 years in the sport, Fernando Alonso is still hungry for success. The Spanish driver, who has won 32 races, including back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006, has had legendary battles with some of the best drivers of the last two decades, including Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastien Vettel. Now, Alonso has joined Aston Martin, the fifth team he has driven for in Formula One.
A New Project for Alonso
Aston Martin is the first team Alonso has joined since returning to the sport with Alpine in 2021. After five years without a race win, Alonso retired from F1 in 2018 and competed in other races, including the IndyCar Series, Le Mans’ 24-hour race, and the Dakar Rally. He returned to F1 in 2021 with Alpine but failed to match the success of his earlier career.
After turning down a contract extension with Alpine, Alonso joined Aston Martin, which he describes as a “wonderful project” with new facilities, a new wind tunnel, and new people.
Aston Martin’s Ambition
Aston Martin’s boss, Lawrence Stroll, has invested heavily in the team, launching a new $200 million factory and hiring top engineers and talent from other teams to support Alonso. With new investment and Fernando Alonso’s performance at pre-season testing, Aston Martin is expected to be the best of the rest behind Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes this season in Formula One.
Controversies in the 2023 Season
The 2023 season has started with controversies after the FIA introduced new rules restricting drivers from making “political, religious and personal statements” without prior approval in writing. The FIA clarified that drivers can express their views on these matters outside of races, but on the track, any displays must be pre-approved, or drivers will face sanctions.
The 2023 season will be the busiest on record, with 23 races over nine months, and some drivers have opposed this decision, with Max Verstappen expressing his discontent with the calendar.
Alonso’s Perspective on the Future of F1
When asked if drivers have enough say in the future of the sport, Alonso thinks “probably not.” “But this is maybe not our role on this sport,” he added. Formula One is a team sport, and while drivers are behind the wheel on race day, it’s important not to forget the many people and organizations involved in making the sport possible.
According to the speaker, the sport is in good hands with Liberty Media, Stefano Domenicali, and the FIA, and it’s important to trust the leaders who are guiding the sport forward.
The Challenging 2023 Season
Despite acknowledging that it will be a challenge, Alonso has a more optimistic outlook than some other drivers about the upcoming racing season. He believes that the season will be demanding for everyone involved, including teams, mechanics, and the media. However, Alonso believes that he and his colleagues are fortunate to have a dream job, and they take pleasure in every aspect of it.
Alonso’s Chances with Aston Martin
Alonso is hesitant to speculate on whether Aston Martin will be competitive this season, stating that achieving a podium finish is not currently a realistic goal. However, based on the signs from pre-season, this target may soon become more achievable than it seems.
Alonso, who won his first race two decades ago, appears to be a potential contender once more.
So, Alonso’s move to Aston Martin shows his hunger for success and the team’s ambition. With new investment and talent, the team is expected to challenge for podiums and victories this season, led by the experienced and determined Alonso. However, they will face stiff competition from Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes, who are also looking strong going into the new season.
While the 2023 season brings new challenges with the record number of races and controversial new rules, Alonso remains positive about the future of the sport and the leadership of those in charge. He believes that drivers should trust in their leaders and continue to enjoy their dream job of racing in Formula One.
As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see if Alonso and Aston Martin can live up to their potential and challenge for the top spots on the podium. But one thing is for certain, with Alonso’s talent and determination, he is not to be counted out, and could once again become a contender for the championship.
