Fernando Alonso also wants to step on the gas in Formula 1 in 2023. “As of now, I would say yes, because I really feel the strength to continue,” said the 40-year-old Spaniard in an interview with RTL / ntv when asked if he would be driving in the motorsport premier class next year. But that’s not fixed yet. “I’ll decide in the middle of the year”. Alonso’s contract with the French factory team Alpine expires at the end of the year.
It may not yet be certain whether Alonso will remain in Formula 1 in the long term. What is certain is that the old master is going into the upcoming season extremely motivated. Thanks to the new set of rules, Alonso senses success again – and already has a lot planned for Alpine in 2022.
His comeback season last year after a good two-year F1 break was “a warm-up”, according to the two-time world champion. 2022 offers a “real opportunity” due to the comprehensive rule reform and the budget cap, which obliges the ten teams to “spend the same money”.
“We want to take the first step now”
With the new rules, Formula 1 is pursuing the goal of reducing the distances between the teams. In addition, overtaking should be easier thanks to the simpler aerodynamics, so the race Sunday will offer more action. Everything to the liking of thoroughbred racer Alonso, who, with a view to the upcoming season, wants to score points “regularly”, who is aiming for the podium – and is even thinking ahead.
“Hopefully the new rules will allow us to fight for podiums and if you fight for podiums every weekend then eventually victory will come when the situation arises. If you fight for podiums and wins you might be a World Championship contender next year . It has to come step by step, we want to take the first step now with the new rules and fight for big things in 2022.”
Alonso getting better and better
So it was already “next year”. Yes, as of now he also wants to drive in Formula 1 in 2023, said Alonso with a smile. “Right now I feel very motivated, I’m satisfied, I really enjoyed last year.”
In the previous season, the comebacker had gotten stronger from race to race after initial difficulties. Highlight: Third place at the Qatar Grand Prix, Alonso’s first visit to the F1 podium in more than seven years.
Alonso: Driver plays “key role” in development
Alonso wants to have more of that in the coming season – and is relying on his experience. He hopes that his intellectual property from 20 years of F1 will give him an advantage over the mostly much younger competition when understanding the new cars. Ultimately, however, Formula 1 is “very complex, the engineers make so much of it,” said the “elderly president” of the premier class (Alonso is the oldest pilot in the field after Kimi Raikkonen’s resignation).
Nevertheless, according to Alonso, the driver continues to play a “key role” in the development of the car – despite all the complexity, despite all the engineering. “With the new rules, you have to give the engineers feedback on how the car behaves, where there is room for improvement, whether it needs more grip, a different handling.” In the short winter tests (three days in Barcelona, three days in Bahrain) “every day is very important to give the team the right feedback”.
Power over reliability at Alpine
Alonso has already given such initial feedback to the Alpine gurus at the Enstone factory. Alonso reported that he had already given virtual material with the A522, which the French unveiled on Monday. “The simulator gives you the opportunity to maybe test some concepts of the car – which might be difficult to produce, but first you test them in the simulator and if they’re positive you think about actually making them. It’s a good one Tool to explore crazy ideas that might work.”
One thing is certain: When it comes to the engine, Alpine has set an aggressive route. The “reliability first” approach from the previous year is passé, the French are now focusing on full power. “Either reliability or performance. You can’t have both. So, where are we driving development?” Asked Alpine boss Laurent Rossi at “motorsport.com” the crucial question.
He told the team: “Push the limits as much as possible, I don’t care. I’d rather have a drive unit that I can be sure has been pushed to its maximum performance than sit comfortably with a reliable power unit that doesn’t perform well,” said Rossi.
Maximum power in the Alpine rear. Fernando Alonso will be happy to hear it – and at the same time probably fervently hope that his new engine is more reliable than the Honda engines at the beginning of his second stint at McLaren (2015-2018). The images of Alonso sitting in a camping chair after one of his dozens of failures at the side of the track or completing a lightning internship as a cameraman to pass the time are somehow still present.
Martin Armbruster