The shock announcement of Fernando Alonso’s arrival at Aston Martin in 2023 continues to make the entire paddock react.
Former F1 driver and consultant for English television, Martin Brundle wondered about the reasons which had pushed the double world champion to leave Alpine, and this while the French team is much better ranked in the constructors’ championship than its rival this season.
“It would appear that Alpine were unable, or unwilling, to offer Fernando a two-year contract, and his contract at Aston Martin is described as being for several years,” Brundle commented.
“He was also disappointed with the way his teammate Esteban Ocon fought him on the track, rather than joining forces to face the competition.
“Fernando is a force of nature, both on and off the track, who will push his new team really hard. He’s softened up a bit lately, but there could easily be fireworks once that he will have joined the ‘society’ of the Stroll family.”
“I remember interviewing Fernando on the starting grid for the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he was convinced then that he had reached the end of his F1 career. But now he will be present until at least at the end of 2024, he will then be 43 years old and will have 400 starts in F1. It’s extraordinary.”
Vettel will have much less impact without F1
Fernando Alonso will replace another world champion at Aston Martin F1, as Sebastian Vettel retires at the end of the season. And Brundle to remember the course of the German.
“It looks like it wasn’t that long since he was still a Friday test driver for BMW before joining Toro Rosso, he looked like a student enjoying life back then.”
“He has won four championships and 53 races, he is in the top 3 all time, and remains to this day the youngest world champion in history. He may only be 35 years old but has accumulated lots of experience.”
“Sebastian is a real champion and a good person, it was a real pleasure to comment on his career.”
Vettel is taking advantage of F1’s popularity to send many messages, and Brundle wonders if he will manage to have the same impact once he is no longer in the discipline.
“Sebastian wants to continue his family life and, without a doubt, some of the causes he has defended in recent seasons.”
“On the day of his retirement announcement, he launched his Instagram account which already has 2.1 million followers. is a game that is always looking to the future. How many times has Kimi Raïkkönen’s name been mentioned this year, for example?”