Fernando Alonso has caused himself a lot of trouble with his own behavior. And that is exactly why he is one of the most interesting drivers this season, writes Iltalehti’s F1 editor Juuso Taipale.
Is Fernando Alonso’s face on a dirty Aston Martin, or will it all turn to joy in the end? PDO
Fernando Alonso is an extremely skilled driver.
And a really unpleasant person.
No other factors explain why the 41-year-old Spaniard’s F1 career is still going on. Again in a new stable.
The latest adventure tells a lot about Alonso’s will to win. He is ready to take a big risk, which, if successful, can allow him to return as a winner.
Unless the difficult nature gets in the way again.
In May, it will be ten years since Alonso’s previous victory in the F1 series. Since the 2013 Spanish GP, he has gone nearly 150 races without landing on the middle podium.
Alonso celebrated the last time he won an F1 race in Spain in 2013. EPA / AOP
Still, you shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that Alonso has driven poorly for the past ten years.
Alonso has not driven for years with equipment that matches his driving skills.
He himself is to blame for that. The bridges behind his back have only fallen apart, as the Spaniard has headed towards the next adventures.
With a different quality of character, Alonso could have achieved much more than 32 race wins and two world championships.
That is his tragedy.
Alonso, who has changed teams as many as seven times in his F1 career, has moved to a new team almost every single time with a bad relationship with his previous employer.
Alonso drove McLaren into internal chaos in the 2007 season. Lewis Hamilton turned out to be a tougher teammate than the Spaniard thought beforehand. ZumaWire / MVPHOTOS
Once or twice could be a coincidence. But as it happens so often, Alonso can’t help but look at himself in the mirror.
It would seem that the will to win burns inside the man like an uncontrollable raging. When the emotions take over, the word of mouth will stun strangers as well as one’s own.
As technically advanced a top sport as F1 is, people are also at the center of it. If you don’t know how to behave in the company of others, even a top driver like Alonso becomes a stumbling block.
Now there is yet another challenge ahead.
Alonso left Alpine in the lurch by announcing, to everyone’s surprise, his move to Aston Martin for the season.
The move is bold. At Alpine, Alonso would have fought for the top positions in the middle class this season as well. However, that does not motivate the man.
It would be far-fetched to assume that Alonso will fight for the championship or even wins at Aston Martin already this year.
But in 2024 the situation may already be different.
Lawrence Stroll has poured money into his F1 project with a grab deal. The Canadian billionaire is ready to turn over all stones and stumps while building an organization capable of profits from his stable.
Alonso was so convinced by papa-Stroll’s plans that he decided to abandon the fourth best team in the series for this project.
Alonso reckons this move will bear fruit in the next few years.
Fernando Alonso is one of the most interesting names on the starting grid this season as well.
What will Alonso achieve this season? PDO
Aston Martin will get a driver who is guaranteed to bring every available point to the team. And maybe the jackpot in some crazy race.
This season’s goals should be set for that. The stable is just on its way to its tough goals.
So don’t be surprised if Fernando Alonso returns to the top of the formula world once again in the next few years.
Unless the surface burns before then.