Fernando Alonso's return to Formula 1 with the nascent Alpine project didn't go as planned. The Prince of Asturias had left the paddock just like another multiple world champion will do this weekend. Sebastian Vettel. The only win of the season in Alpine in 2021 is conquered Esteban Ocon, Fernando is not the fulcrum of the project and is also starting to see something rotten in the team, even if he manages to return to the podium on a magical night in Qatar. In 2022 "El Plan" to bring a highly competitive single-seater to the grid is no longer possible concretizes.
Once again the promises made are dispersed in an indefinite smoke, and already from the tests Fernando understands that he has to make room for himself. He does it on several occasions, also having to fight with his aggressive teammate. In these conditions Fernando becomes furious, verbally and physically. 2022 brought him on a par to the point of convincing him to definitively abandon his former team to turn his gaze towards the future.Aston Martin who was looking for a replacement for Sebastian Vettel. “I just want to go to Abu Dhabi and get in the green car” he had said after the disastrous sprint in Brazil. In Sunday's race, with a fantastic comeback, he managed to finish in the top 10 and this brought a veiled smile back to the face of the "samurai".
Alonso: "Last year I wasn't convinced and this year I'm not satisfied"
After two years, Fernando will leave Alpine to devote himself to perhaps an even bigger challenge given that Aston Martin is another long-term project, with lots of problems and a third-rate car. Car that he will inherit from Sebastian Vettel. “It will be strange not to see Vettel at the start next year - Alonso said during the press conference in Abu Dhabi. “We fought a lot, but always with the utmost mutual respect. My career is linked to him, the outcome has often been in his favor but our stories and our names are connected. I don't rule out his return in the future. I haven't asked him for any advice on Aston yet, but I will on Sunday."
In Brazil, Alpine has not only made a great comeback with Alonso, but also with Ocon. Both finished the race in the top 10, closing the gap to McLaren even further. It will be difficult for Alonso to repeat himself, but the bar is always very high. "I don't think I can repeat the race in Brazil here, but hopefully we can fight in the midfield. Say hello to Alpine? Two years ago I had concerns when I returned thereo last year I wasn't convinced and this year I'm not satisfied. It's time for a new challenge."
Source statements: sky sports f1
