Fernando Alonso wrapped up the opening chapter of his time with Aston Martin in Abu Dhabi this weekend, a chapter that began with high expectations after a strong breakthrough in Bahrain in March and ended with a mix of bright moments and lingering questions. Eight podiums helped elevate the Spaniard’s personal reputation, yet the season concluded with a sense that more could have been achieved. After twenty years in Formula 1, he stood 106th on the grid but climbed to fifth in the World Constructors’ Championship for the Silverstone-based squad.
Throughout the campaign, Alonso balanced flashes of brilliance with challenging setbacks. He believes 2023 ranks among his best seasons and, at the age of 42, looks ahead to what 2024 might bring. Speaking to reporters upon arriving at the Yas Marina circuit, he stated that he felt personally fulfilled, claiming this was the finest season of his driving life, comparable only to 2012. This confidence mirrored the overall mood around Aston Martin as they reflected on a year of rapid development and learning under pressure.
In his assessment, races in Bahrain, Monaco, Canada, Monza and Brazil stood out as his personal top five. He mentioned including Monza deliberately, noting that it was ninth in the final results and that the weekend was remarkable given the team’s car pace—arguably one of the slowest or second-slowest on the grid—yet they produced a performance that exceeded expectations. Alonso also highlighted the car’s performance at Zandvoort, while expressing some regret for not delivering a victory that fans hoped to celebrate.
He added that the Monaco event represented perhaps the most recent illustration of strategic decision-making in race conditions, including tyre choices and early race positioning that could have altered outcomes at Zandvoort. Even when opportunities appeared within reach, the team felt they deserved better results and believed a different set of circumstances might have yielded a different ending to those weekends.
Ultimately, the two-time World Champion prefers to frame the season in a constructive light. He noted that the team faced inevitable growing pains as they pushed a new project forward. They began the year with a car that exceeded initial expectations, proving competitive enough to challenge established giants like Mercedes and Ferrari. As the season progressed, the team recognized the need to refine the car’s development path. The experience was valuable, and Alonso commented that the previous year’s performance already felt nearly unimaginable in retrospect. He recalled the Yas Marina test with clarity, explaining that a different future outcome would have been hard to foresee at that time.
I’m committed to continuing
Looking ahead, Alonso confirmed a 2024 contract with Aston Martin and suggested there could be life beyond that season as well. He framed motivation as intrinsically tied to results: strong performances breed confidence, and confidence fuels further improvements. He described the ideal outcome as a string of solid weekends that open up possibilities for podiums and even victories, which in turn renew enthusiasm for the sport and the daily grind that comes with it.
If progress stalls, he warned, he would be quick to acknowledge it and consider stepping away. Yet he emphasized a robust self-belief, noting that the demanding schedule can wear on even the strongest athletes. He acknowledged the heavy calendar ahead, with 24 races a potential reality next year, and spoke candidly about the toll such a schedule can take on energy levels. Still, he stressed that driving performance remains the primary focus and that endurance will be continually tested as the team pursues further development and stronger results.