…and last 🙂
I guess he doesn't like being beaten by Ocon
Blimey, that seems like Alonso made a considered and measured decision, speaking with many trusted advisors and getting a range of views, and not at all like a snap call in the heat of the moment when offered a vacant seat.
what on earth are Aston thinking? There are any number of talented future F1 stars desperate for a seat. Weird
…and last
Lozza wants to get all the ex WDC’s in to teach the boy how to do it 😉
what on earth are Aston thinking?
They have aspirations to be a front-running team and are spending serious money on improving their engineering facilities. Vettel, despite his weaknesses, was a top-level driver with four world titles, that's why they hired him. Alonso is, in my opinion, a better driver than Vettel and he seems to be able to adapt to difficult cars and wring every last bit of performance out of them. With Alonso there, they will know exactly how good or bad their car is.
what on earth are Aston thinking? There are any number of talented future F1 stars desperate for a seat. Weird
Takes the pressure off while they restructure. No one expects them to do anything with an old guy and a daddies boy at the wheel.
It'll be 3 to 4 years before their new factory produces any meaningful results.
I think Aston wanted a headline name to draw money in from other sponsors.
I think Aston wanted a headline name to draw money in from other sponsors.
sure, I’m not certain that hiring Fernando sends that message does it? - ie looking to the future to build a dominating team - here’s a has been and the team owners son…. It’s not the marketing coup that I’d be hoping for if I was head of sponsors at AM.
Not hugely surprised about Alonso, him and Otmar had been bickering for a few weeks.
Hopefully they're in the mix next year, as much as I think he's a bit of a cabeza de pene, he is a quick and canny racer.
Piastri to Alpine then?
My understanding is that Alonso wanted a 2 year deal (as 2024 is more likely to be a competitive year for them), Alpine were offering a 1 year (because Piastri), therefore it does kind of make sense if Aston are offering a multi year deal..
AM's car next year will be Dan Fallow's (formerly Red Bull's head of aerodynamics) so it'll be interesting to see how it does
[i]cabeza de pene[/i] I had to google it but I will be using this phrase where required from now on
Is Alonso the driver equivalent of the Ferrari team - Massive respect and awe from the fans but no actual results or reason for this in recent memory?
AM’s car next year will be
Dan Fallow’Adrian Newey's (formerlycurrently Red Bull’s headof aerodynamicsdesigner) so it’ll be interesting to see how it does
FTFY.
This also opens up a seat at Williams as it was widely expected Piastri would replace Latifi.
Logan Sargeant for that one?
I thought the minute Vettel retired that Alonso would go to AM. When you look at it Renault seem to basically be in F1 on the cheap at the minute and have been for a number of years, saving the millions they pay Alonso for the cheaper Piastri will be seen as a win for the bean counters.
Logan Sargeant for that one?
I reckon, he's part of the Williams driver program and he's been doing well recently
The following link has fascinating information on stuff happening in the background
A few thoughts on @alo_oficial, a tug of love over @OscarPiastri, how @AlpineF1Team has been wrong-footed - and former Enstone boss Flavio Briatore's role in it all...: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/why-alonsos-mega-money-aston-martin-deal-has-turned-f1-driver-market-upside-down
https://twitter.com/adamcooperF1/status/1554072648673595392
That's a great article! A genuinely interesting silly season this time around
So, off the top of my head, by next year, Alonso will have driven for 5 of the 10 teams on the grid (Minardi/AT, Renault/Alpine, McLaren, Ferrari, and Aston Marton/Jordan) and all of the current engine suppliers, plus Cosworth. I don't think any current driver comes close to that, what about retired drivers?
Also, 2001.
It can often be surprising how many teams the drivers have been in- I was looking at Martin Brundle's bio the other day and there was a long list of teams including Williams, Ligier, Jordon, Benetton, Brabham and McLaren plus some team called Zakspeed that I have never heard of
It can often be surprising how many teams drivers have been in
Yes, back in the old days drivers regularly swapped teams mid season. I'm sure the record for number of teams and engine manufacturers driven will come from back in the 50s or 60s.
Vettel actually draws with Alonso with 5- he raced very briefly with BMW Sauber (Alfa Romeo) before heading over to Torro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and then finishing at Aston Martin
I’m sure the record for number of teams and engine manufacturers driven will come from back in the 50s or 60s.
Chris Amon, 13
Chris Amon, 13
Often cited as the best driver to never win a race. And people think Alonso makes bad decisions about swapping teams.
Looks like there's some doubt as to whether it will be Piastri at Alpine next year- it might be Ricciardo instead!
Alpine surprise over Fernando Alonso switch to Aston Martin - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62389741
If this is accurate...
Alonso has surpassed himself for being a dick (and that's a high bar to clear)
Alonso has surpassed himself for being a dick (and that’s a high bar to clear)
Yep, for a 41 year old he's certainly managed to hold on to his petulance!
shermer75
Yep, for a 41 year old he’s certainly managed to hold on to his petulance!
Another bridge burned then! Quite remarkable.
it might be Ricciardo instead!
Can I be the first to say “meh”?
It may be slightly more nuanced than just being a dick.
From the preceding page. (warning Flavio content):
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/why-alonsos-mega-money-aston-martin-deal-has-turned-f1-driver-market-upside-down
Alonso has always been very clear that he looks after no1 and always has. If teams that negotiate with him don't take that into consideration then that's their look out I guess.
Alpine made an offer to Alonso, AM made a better offer, for Alonso there's no issue.
He'll now be getting 2nd dibs on future upgrades and I'm sure there will be a few strategy mistakes to come!
My daughter just sent me this - childish, but I did s****... 🙂
Well, I guess that helps Ricciardo keep his place at McLaren, for better or worse...
I'm pretty excited to see that. I hope he's one of the ones who do well, and not one of the ones who gets chewed up and spat out
There are rumours of shenanigans in the manner that it has been announced
If @OscarPiastri and his manager @AussieGrit are at home in Australia then it is around 3am. Their ‘phones will be rather busy when they wake up. https://twitter.com/benjhunt/status/1554506591965253634
https://twitter.com/GrandPrixDiary/status/1554510742254149633
Piastri deserves the opportunity, I just hope that Alpine haven't jumped the gun here.
Given that Piastri to Williams was meant to be a done deal, it rather narrows the potential options for Mick Schumacher and Ricciardo.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62400513
The BBC are also hinting at some uncertainty around the signing
Piastri says he won't be driving for Alpine...
https://the-race.com/formula-1/piastri-says-alpine-announced-him-for-2023-against-his-will/
Perhaps Alpine were going to rebrand as Dacia - so company Sanderos all round!! 🤣🤣
Omg. Fast moving stuff! This really is the silliest of silly seasons
News just in.
The Ferrari strategy team have been sacked and are now in charge of driver recruitment at Alpine
