He can understand Max Verstappen’s little GT3 excursion on the Nürburgring, Fernando Alonso has been something like the prototype among the F1 drivers in recent years, which sometimes dare on a different motorsport terrain:
“I have already experienced this in a certain way-at the time outside of Formula 1, when I was tired of being here and just playing a supporting role,” explains Alonso in relation to the much-noticed appearance of the Red Bull pilot on the Nordschleife: “2016, 2017, 2018 I was no longer a main actor and I wanted to try something else. These experiences in other racing series were great,” says the Spaniard.
“You can feel the pure joy of driving there again – without all the surrounding area that Formula 1 brings. I am sure that Max had a great time there,” Alonso believes. “Max is a passionate racing driver. I hope he enjoys it and may do something in this direction after Formula 1, whereby Alonso is” pretty safe “that we will see him in other racing series”.
Alonso: Wanted to prove it himself back then
For himself, on the other hand, such excursions currently have “no priority” – simply because he has already rejected the horns in his many adventures of the past few years. Alonso explains: “I am now in another phase of my career. Back then, 2018, I might have had the need to prove myself again that I can win – to feel the success of getting back the feeling of winning.”
Because in Formula 1 there wasn’t much in McLaren-Honda at the end of the field except frustration. “It seemed necessary to be more relaxed and to be able to really enjoy my work again,” Alonso explains with a view to his many experiments in other categories: “After victories in Le Mans and Daytona, after I was successful and quick in different series, I have calmed down.”
That is why he can now also have more likely to spend the patience currently required by Aston Martin: “In 2023, the change to Aston Martin was also a great drive, some successes, the recognition. Now, with a view to 2026 and the new regulations – and with Adrian on board – what we are experiencing feels very different.”
Aston Martin continues to “highly motivated” for 2026
Alonso explains: “Although we are currently not competitive, maybe hardly or no points, are focused and highly motivated for the next year in which we want to have a say again. This is a completely different situation than at McLaren.”
Especially since the Spaniard is less of a nerve sample for him due to the right perspective in the current phase: “The most difficult are the interviews, the daily conversations with the media,” says Alonso, although he admits: “I understand that, I would ask the same questions. End. “
But his focus is currently on another: “I come here and know what we have,” he says with a view to the limited options with the current package: “My job is to help the team.” For example, in the comparison tests with the various update packages on his car and that of teammate Lance Stroll, who has a few more in Imola.“
If I am confronted with your questions … “
“To do this, I have to be constant, do the same rounds, keep the same driving style,” says Alonso, what is important for the team in the development: “Then I go into qualifying, try the best car that gets the quickest possible set -up, drive my best round and on Sunday my 60 rounds like in qualifying. I want to help the team – that is my job. Robot, precise, with a high discipline, “he clarifies.
The 43 -year -old does not always make it easy: “Sometimes I am brought back to the ground of the facts when I am confronted with your questions – which are all entitled to,” he says to the journalists present: “And then I often don’t know how to answer. Even if I am internally optimistic and positive, it is difficult to put it in words when you are outside or in Q1.”
The final word Alonso: “But I still do my best – and there are still 18 races ahead of us.” Only then will it really show whether the long breath and patience of the old master paid off in the end …