Alpine F1 representative "I will not lose to Aston Martin even if Alonso transfers"[F1-Gate.com]

Alpine F1 Team boss Otmar Szafnauer believes Fernando Alonso can continue to outperform when he moves to Aston Martin F1 in 2023.

Fernando Alonso has turned down a contract extension with the Alpine F1 team, accepting an offer to join Aston Martin F1 on a ‘multi-year deal’ that will run until at least the end of the 2024 season.

Heading into the summer break, the Alpine F1 Team sits fourth with 99 points, while Aston Martin F1 sits ninth with 20 points.

Otmar Szafnauer, who was team principal of Aston Martin F1 until the beginning of the year, is confident that the Alpine F1 team will stay ahead next season and beyond.

“I know both teams very well,” said Otmar Szafnauer.

“I spent 12 years with other teams, so I think I still know better than all the individuals here.”

“And I know they’ve hired a few more people since I retired in December, including Dan Fallows and Eric Blandin from Mercedes, among others I’ve hired. Some were part of it, so I know what they’re up to.”

“And I know the people there and I know this team that is here and I know that both teams have huge potential.”

“But as I sit here today, this team is performing at a much higher level. It’s hard to predict the future, but in the near future, this team will be that, if not more. We will definitely continue to perform at the level.”

Aston Martin F1 is known to have headhunted key engineers, but Otmar Szafnauer says the Alpine F1 team is doing its own expansion.

“We have an internal program called Mountain Climber, which is to hire a further 75 people in strategic areas to help improve the capabilities of this team,” said Otmar Szafnauer.

“With 75 employees, we are currently improving our tools, simulation tools, new simulators, expanding manufacturing capacity, upgrading our wind tunnel, all focused on winning our 100th race.”

“These things are still happening here, they’re happening fast. We’re already at the level of 850 people.”

“So I am confident that in the period that Fernando is there, we will be able to outperform the team that Fernando is going to.”