Regardless, Fernando Alonso is one of the biggest references in Formula 1. Spanish GP, on and off the track. A real wave of fans from the stands embraced the Asturian driver, who managed to overcome a disastrous classification and an engine replacement penalty that put him in the last place on the grid. Alonso scored two points in ninth place and once again made it clear that he was in his best form at the age of 40. He described his performance as “a carrerón” himself.. But it has also been possible to confirm that the atmosphere at Alpine in Barcelona these days is not as good as it was when he came to the team last year, ready to start his second phase in F1. ‘home’, Renault.

Despite the fact that Alonso has recently strengthened ties with some Alpine sponsors and new team director Otmar Szafnauer assured that it would be “stupid” not to consider the renewal of the two-time Spanish champion at Montmeló, the truth is that many people now believe that the team, and perhaps even F1 comes from outside. president of Renault Luca de Meo aroused more suspicion with his shocking response to the DAZN microphones on the starting grid of the Spanish GP. When asked about Alonso’s future: “We love Fernando very much. We will need to find a solution for everyone, because we have Esteban (Ocon) and Oscar (Piastri) who are also very good. We want to protect our drivers. and look for an ideal solution for everyone. I think the work he has done… what Fernando has done is unbelievable,” he said.

Pedro de la Rosa lamented the reaction of the Italian businessman, who at the time was the biggest supporter of Alonso’s return to F1: “I’m surprised there wasn’t any confirmation, it’s unbelievable. For me the question is whether Fernando wants to continue, not vice versa. In Formula 1, the plan is in the medium-long term, otherwise there is no result. ‘The way the plan came into effect is if Fernando stayed with the team for several years, it’s a long distance race’, analyzed the former Barcelona driver.

the plan is not working

Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001, and at the end of the 2018 season, the results at McLaren were no longer with him and the World Endurance Championship, Dakar, 24th Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 or Daytona hours. He decided to return to F1 due to the horizon of a major regulatory change in the category that would, in theory, match the performance of cars with common parts and budget caps. The pandemic delayed the implementation of the new regulation and Fernando completed the 2021 transition period at Alpine.

But this season has started and the big discovery has been Ferrari, not Alpine. Red Bull stays on top and Mercedes tackles crisis. In six races, Alonso’s team is roughly where it was the previous year. Fifth in the constructors’ championship, there is little, but little chance of reaching Q3 regularly on Saturdays and points on Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, Alpine has a French driver named Esteban Ocon, who has a contract until 2024 and has so far performed better than Fernando. Also on the payroll and ‘unemployed’ is the hearth’s greatest talent, the champion of the F3 and F2 entrance categories, and Australian Oscar Piastri, who has warned he won’t be watching the races for another year. couch. It’s undoubtedly a much cheaper option than would mean a replacement for Alonso, the third highest paid driver on the grid.

In a wave of rumors The possible interest of Aston Martin and millionaire owner Lawrence Stroll in Fernando has emerged.“I can only say that I want to continue in F1 for at least a few more years and hope to hear back after the summer break,” commented Barcelona, ​​who did not want to comment on the matter. McLaren’s option is also on the table. It would all be because of what veterans Vettel and Ricciardo did on the tightrope, but right now it looks like neither team will be able to find the winning car there, which Fernando misses so much, as both teams do.