There is never a limit to the worst, he is now aware of this Fernando Alonso who experiences ups and downs in his relationship with Alpine. Lower than high, counting withdrawals, failures, mistakes in strategies. After changing Power Unit ad Austinin Mexico, the umpteenth problem of reliability. "Unbelievable, what a season. What a season“ is the phrase that echoes in the Alpine box and that makes the track engineer of the two-time world champion blanch, who really doesn't know how to counter this statement.
A problem can always happen but that in Mexico is not an isolated case, and the "what a season", said when he was comfortably archiving another GP in an excellent seventh place, it really represents the summary of a problematic season, in which Fernando was rarely the architect of his own destiny. In almost all of the 20 races of the season, Fernando had to grit his teeth due to problems of various kinds. All 5 withdrawals – 6 if one also takes into account the Sprint in Austria in which he was unable to take part due to an electrical problem – came only due to problems with his car or other people's mistakes – such as SPA & WELLNESS, or Imola. The return to Alpine / Renault is ending in the worst way, since 2023, indeed already since Abu Dhabi, will have the opportunity to get on the Aston Martin for the first tests ahead of next season in his new team.
The frustration
Fernando Alonso would like to move on as quickly as possible and sees problems as a sort of obstinacy of fate, or of the team that constantly jabs against the single-seater that bears its number, 14, on its livery. The first vase was filled some time ago and the second just overflowed this weekend in Mexico. “For car n.14 there are always reliability issues.” commented a Fernando Furioso who can no longer get rid of his discontent and disappointment.
"My level is higher since the beginning of the season but the results and ranking at the end of the year will be among the lowest. So it's a bit frustrating, but I can't do anything”. Alpine has staked everything on power, necessarily sacrificing reliability in view of the freezing of the engines. This however marked a whole season in a negative way, and la fight for fourth place with the McLaren which could have been closed well before the last few races.
This is his third breakdown at engine in seven races since the summer break. Without all these problems his season would have been different, and he could have caught up with Lando Norris.
"I think I lost 60 points this year, so we add six more, so that's about 66, and of course everyone else benefits, because everyone earns two more than they should. It's just unbelievable that only one or two cars retire in each race, and one is always car 14. I think I blew five engines this year, [plus] the problem in Australia in qualifying and in Austria I didn't even start the race because it was a blackout."
"I think in 19 races, more or less in 50% of the races, we didn't get the points we deserved."
Alonso: "I just want to get to Abu Dhabi"
When asked about sensations for Brazil, next race in two weeks, Alonso's response has further reinforced the feeling that he is anxious for this season to be over. “I do not care," She said. “I will go there, drive as fast as possible, go to Abu Dhabi and celebrate our last race with the team and then return home”concluded the Spanish rider.
Source statements: The Race
