BELGIUM: In a shocking flip of occasions, Fernando Alonso, the Spanish racing legend, has fired again at his former group boss, Otmar Szafnauer, after his change from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 System 1 season.
Astonishingly, Alonso finds it “unbelievable” that Szafnauer continues to speak proudly about their parting of how regardless of the large hole in efficiency between the 2 groups.
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Alonso, who returned to System 1 with Alpine in 2021, expressed his discontent with the sluggish tempo of contract negotiations earlier than his eventual departure. Szafnauer cited Alonso’s age as a cause for not providing a multi-year extension, which prompted the transfer to herald Pierre Gasly as Alonso’s alternative.
Nonetheless, the tables have turned dramatically since then. Aston Martin has remodeled from a decrease midfield group to a critical contender for the “better of the remaining” place, proper behind the dominant Purple Bull group within the 2023 F1 season. Alonso’s new group has already achieved six podium finishes, a exceptional feat.
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In distinction, Szafnauer’s fortunes have taken a pointy downturn. Following Aston Martin’s spectacular efficiency, he was let go together with veteran sporting director Alan Permane after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Alpine, below his management, sits solely in P6 within the Constructors’ standings, failing to match the progress made by rivals Aston Martin and McLaren.
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Earlier than the official affirmation of Szafnauer’s sacking, Alonso emphasised that the huge distinction in efficiency between the groups ought to silence any discuss their parting.
He admitted that he took the doubts about his age and efficiency personally, utilizing them as motivation to showcase that, at 42, he’s nonetheless on the pinnacle of his driving talents.
Alonso firmly believes that the outcomes achieved at Aston Martin communicate for themselves, reinforcing the notion that Alpine grossly underestimated his worth to the group. He presently sits at a powerful P3 within the F1 2023 Drivers’ Championship, with Aston Martin occupying the identical place within the Constructors’ standings.
Because the F1 season progresses, Alonso’s exceptional resurgence with Aston Martin serves as a testomony to his expertise and willpower.
The Spaniard’s spectacular performances have confirmed Szafnauer’s doubts improper, and the previous Alpine boss’s pleasure within the determination to let Alonso go now appears misplaced.
Together with his eyes set on extra podium finishes and a possible championship problem, Alonso’s resurgence is likely one of the standout tales of the 2023 season.
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