The Return of Fernando Alonso
While the category is impressed by the new generation, led by reigning champion Max Verstappen, a historical name in the category has made news in this first week of holidays. It's the inexhaustible Fernando Alonso. The Asturian, at 41 years old, has confirmed his presence in the next Formula One season, but this time behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. A move that few can understand considering that Alpine, his current team, has been having better days than his future team.
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With Alonso's arrival, Aston Martin adds one of the main developers in the category. Fernando is a great car configurator and his experience in strategies can be very beneficial for the British team. In the face of his eighth team change in Spanish history, many have raised their voices accusing him of betrayal, but the truth is that Fernando's relationship with Alpine is simply worn out. Beyond the performance of the vehicle, which is not bad, Alonso would be playing to feel part of a team with fewer conflicts.
Fernando's departure from Alpine apparently has a culprit: Otmar Szafnauer. The team boss would not have known how to value the Asturian and he has simply preferred a vehicle with fewer features but a better work environment. In these days when so much is said about "emotional salary," Alonso has provided all Human Resources managers with a case to study.
What comes next? Ten extremely uncomfortable races for the Spaniard. It's evident that if there is an improvement to test in the team, they won't give it to him, and if at any moment, on the track, Alpine has to prioritize a driver, it will be Ocon. It's not that we will see a civil war between the two, but it's certain that the priority of pit stops will not be for Fernando. Meanwhile, the paddock will serve to fuel the novel with the gestures that everyone will look for excessively to find the missing piece to understand what offended the Spanish driver so much that he gave up competitiveness in exchange for peace in 2023.
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