Fernando Alonso is getting comfortable with his sixth Formula 1 team, and things may finally start to look up for Aston Martin.
The two-time F1 champion drove a few laps in his new team’s unbranded AMR22 as part of Pirelli’s 2024 tire testing program. Aston Martin team principal Michael Krack is more than pleased with how the 41-year-old’s experience shows during these Abu Dhabi tire tests.
He told Motorsport.com’s Adam Cooper that he was incredibly impressed with the Spaniard’s communication: “It was straight to the point at all times, and it was very friendly and open, transparent, I think in both directions. We’re very pleased with how this day went, really.”
He also pointed out that his focus on improving and getting faster was similar to Sebastian Vettel, Alonso’s predecessor, who walked away from the sport at the end of the 2022 season.
Aston Martin hopes that Alonso could replicate or exceed his performances for Alpine this year. Vettel and Lance Stroll struggled to compete in their car, with both drivers finishing outside the Top 10. Meanwhile, Alonso scored points in a car that he felt was struggling to meet his expectations.
Alongside former teammate Sebastian Ocon, Alonso put Alpine in the fourth spot of the Constructors Championship with 173 points. While Ocon finished above him in the Drivers Championship at 92 points, he was not far behind with his 81. He hit a good vein of form in the middle of the season, consistently finishing in the points.
Ocon Fired Shots at Former Teammate
While Alonso is already looking forward to his stint at Aston Martin, Ocon was more than happy to let the Formula 1 media know about his feelings for Alonso.
While he’s not the heaviest favorite to win the 2023 Drivers Championship based on last season, he criticized the Spaniard for not pushing hard enough for Alpine. He felt he had to do all the work during their two years together.
He accused the 41-year-old of not doing enough marketing trips and simulation drives to help improve the team’s position on the grid throughout the season. His allegations are consistent with the stories that persisted throughout Alonso’s career.
However, he shouldn’t count his chickens before they hatch. He shares a complicated relationship with his new teammate in Pierre Gasly. Their partnership could either drive the team forward or bring it down to a worse situation than they were with Alonso.
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