Alpine insists it has “absolutely no worries” that Fernando Alonso’s decision to leave for Aston Martin next year will create a tense environment for the rest of the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Having looked likely to re-sign with Alpine, Alonso caused a stir when his move to Aston Martin was announced a day after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The two-time world champion was believed to be in negotiations with Alpine to renew his contract before he chose to sign for Aston Martin instead, leaving team boss Otmar Szafnauer taken by surprise at his departure.
Szafnauer revealed he only learned from Alonso’s news in Aston Martin’s press release and had the impression before the announcement that Alonso would stay.
But while the situation could create tensions within the team, Szafnauer batted away suggestions that this could play out, believing Alonso and Alpine will remain focused on continuing its strong form in the second half of the season.
“I have absolutely no worries about the rest of the season,” Szafnauer said, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “Our goals are pretty clear. We want to finish at least fourth in the constructors’ championship. I think third is a step too far.
“Fernando realizes that too. He’s a professional. He’s a competitor. Once he puts that helmet on, you know as well as I do, he wants to do the best he can, if not win.
“And there is nothing else that goes through his mind when he’s in the racing car apart from finishing as high as he can in that race, and in the championship.
“And he still hath that drive. It’s what he’s here to do. And I’m the same.”
Alpine is currently fourth in the constructors’ championship after 13 races, lying just four points ahead of nearest rivals McLaren.
Szafnauer only sees Alpine going from strength to strength after the summer break, revealing it will continue to upgrade the A522 for the remainder of the year.
“I want to do absolutely the best we can,” he said. “And especially this year, our upgrades are still coming very fast. We’ll have another upgrade in Spa, and will continue to upgrade the car until the end of the year. And Fernando understands that too.
“And he will work hard as will Esteban [Ocon] to maximize the performance of the team. I have no doubts about that.”
Alonso is heading to Aston Martin on a multi-year deal, which, if he fulfills the length of contract, will see him still racing at 44 – making him the oldest driver to race this century.
Asked how the Spaniard will be fair at his new team, Szafnauer, who left Aston Martin for Alpine at the beginning of 2022, felt it was too early to make predictions.
“He’s a great, great driver, among the best I’ve worked with,” Szafnauer said. “He still is competing at a very high level. He’s still fast, and in tricky conditions, which really show the driver’s skill, he’s even better. And we saw that this year. If that continues for another three years, great for Aston and Fernando.
“I don’t know when that will wane, but from a working relationship, I don’t know, I can’t predict because there are so many factors that you have to take into consideration to be able to predict how that’s going to play out But let’s see what happens.”
