unlucky words
In the Alpine camp, the debate over Fernando Alonso’s future continues to unfold at a measured pace. While the Spanish veteran receives daily praise from many corners of the Formula 1 world, decisions about his ongoing role have moved more slowly, with the French outfit only signaling a potential extension after the recent French Grand Prix. The statements from Alpine’s leadership in France appear to conflict with earlier comments made by the team’s top brass before arriving in Paul Ricard.
To understand the sequence, it helps to start with the Austria episode and the remarks from Otmar Szafnauer, the chief of Alpine’s operations. His remarks shed light on the team’s choice to pin expectations on reserve driver Oscar Piastri rather than Fernando Alonso.
Szafnauer recounts a few on-track incidents that influenced perception, noting Alonso’s tough breaks as well as penalties and incidents involving other drivers. He mentions a collision with Mick Schumacher and a difficult moment with a pontoons issue, along with defenses that drew penalties for Bottas in Canada and a separate sanction in Miami. He stresses that there are many factors at play, but the gist is that Alonso did not accumulate the results the team hoped for, and a few misfortunes played a part in that outcome, according to statements summarized by motorsport outlets.
Asked about Alonso’s performance and the team’s direction, Szafnauer comments that Alonso remains a fierce competitor who loves to race and often exceeds expectations. He reflects on the contrast between a driver’s enthusiasm to push boundaries and the practical limits of results within a season, suggesting that Alpine’s concern was not a personal slight against the driver but a broader assessment of the team’s needs at that moment.
Szafnauer then discusses the technical angle, noting suspicions about an ECU fault. He emphasizes that the car’s electronics are not something the team designed or manufactured; they are standard components that could influence reliability if any issue arises. The implication is that the failure might lie with the car’s setup or a broader system issue, rather than a deliberate shortcoming. He even draws a parallel with past experiences, comparing Alonso’s misfortune to a period when Takuma Sato, a former Honda driver, endured a string of engine problems while still in the points on several occasions.
Open battle at the top of the team
The nature of the internal debate spilled into public view when Otmar Szafnauer recalled past seasons and highlighted the tension surrounding Piastri’s place in the lineup. He pointed to Sato’s era as a reminder that reliability and performance can diverge, and fans might draw hopeful parallels—though the real impact on Alonso’s future remained unsettled yet.
The situation wasn’t isolated to Szafnauer’s remarks. There had already been controversy tied to Alpine’s Barcelona leadership regarding Alonso’s renewal and the team’s long-term commitment to him. Szafnauer also touched on the reserve driver scenario while negotiations with Alonso were ongoing, hinting at a broader strategic discussion about talent development and seat allocation for the coming seasons.
When the topic turned to Oscar Piastri, the tone grew more cautious. The team’s leadership signaled that the young Australian showed promise for Formula 1 and had been actively involved in technical briefings and car development since joining Alpine this season. Szafnauer stressed confidence in Piastri’s readiness, while also hinting at a potential path that could see him continue with Alpine in some capacity.
Open battle at the top of the team
The questions about who drives alongside Alonso next season dominated the team’s internal discussions. Laurent Rossi, Alpine’s chief executive, once again acted as the public voice for the organization at the home race in France. He made clear that Alonso’s future is being actively explored, alongside possible arrangements for Piastri. Both drivers are described as highly capable, and the team would welcome the opportunity for either to compete next season.
Rossi also noted the FIA’s ongoing team discussions at Grand Prix weekends, explaining that Esteban Ocon is contracted through 2024, which would effectively move consideration toward Piastri for the second seat. The implication is that Piastri might need to seek a seat with another team, with Williams among the likely destinations if a change becomes necessary.
Rossi expressed openness to a scenario where Piastri returns to Alpine if the arrangement proves advantageous for the team. He suggested that short stints with other teams could help a driver learn new skills, and if Piastri eventually rejoined Alpine, it would be ideal for both the driver and the squad. The implication is that the organization envisions a future in which Alonso and Piastri may share the grid depending on evolving circumstances.
If the strategy seems to pivot around a balance of performance and opportunity, the practical question remains: what does Alonso want, and how will the team align its resources? Rossi indicates both options remain on the table, with a belief that both drivers could be on the grid the following year.
Alonso, for his part, kept his comments measured. He opted not to speculate publicly about his future or the events of recent days. The prevailing expectation is that formal decisions will emerge closer to the Belgian Grand Prix, at the season’s end, when the first indications are likely to surface.