Fernando Alonso closed the first chapter of his adventure with Aston Martin in Abu Dhabi this weekend, which started well above popular expectations in Bahrain in March and ended less brightly than promised, despite eight podiums boosting the Asturian’s personal reputation. After two decades in F1, he qualified 106th and finished fifth in the World Constructors’ Championship with the Silverstone team.
With lights and shadows, Fernando He believes 2023 is one of his best seasons and believes next season, which he faces at the age of 42, could be much more positive. Alonso told the press when he arrived at the Yas Marina circuit: “I am very happy on a personal level. This is the best season for me in terms of driving, along with 2012.” said.
“The races in Bahrain, Monaco, Canada, Monza and Brazil are in the top 5 for me. I deliberately included Monza because it was ninth, which no one will remember, but we probably had the slowest car or the second slowest car and we needed a perfect weekend to be where we were. “The car was very good at Zandvoort,” commented Fernando, once again regretting not being able to please his fans with his famous 33rd victory.
“It was possible, probably the most recent one was Monaco. A different decision with the tyres. Maybe if we had a different position at the start in Zandvoort. We had the opportunities and we deserved them,” he thinks.
In any case, the two-time Spanish champion prefers to put a positive spin on his first season in the green jersey: “Problems are part of the journey of this team. We started very strongly with a car that was surprisingly competitive even for us. We found ourselves in a position that we were perhaps not ready for, fighting against Mercedes or Ferrari.” We have taken a step back with the development of the car, we are not at the top level yet, but overall I think the season we had a year ago was unthinkable. I remember the test here very well. “If anyone had told me then that we would be in this situation, I wouldn’t have believed them.”
I’m convinced to continue
Alonso has a contract with Aston Martin valid for 2024 and could continue beyond that date: “Motivation comes with results. Even if you have tremendous determination, results must come in the medium or long term. Be competitive, know this: Perfect weekend “It opens up the possibilities of podium or victory, it gives you a different focus and love for what you do,” he emphasizes.
“If I’m slow, I’ll be the first one to raise my hand and walk away. But honestly I don’t think that will happen. I am extremely confident in myself. Yes, maybe one day with such a demanding schedule you will feel like it’s time. There is more to life. This has been a very difficult season with 22 races and two cancellations, next year we will have to see 24 races on the calendar. These things drain the battery but do not affect driving,” Alonso warned.