Fernando Alonso: From plan to mission

“Renault wants to get back on the podium. Me too.”He said Fernando Alonso a July 8, 2020His return to F1 had just been officially announced by the team he touched the skies in 2005 and 2006. Other disciplines to fight again for important milestones in Formula 1.

Because that was supposed to be the goal. “The team wants to be back on the podium like I am and they have the means.”said to the Asturians. Both Renault and Alonso have his 2022 season in mind, and changes to F1’s regulations have opened up the possibility of getting closer to the dominant team.

But the bet didn’t pan out for Alonso. Alonso has been on the podium for over a season and a half so far.Perhaps this circumstance also influenced Alonso when he asked A new challenge for Aston Martin for 2023.

“The Aston Martin team puts all their energy and enthusiasm into winning. I still have the thirst and ambition to fight to be ahead.”Alonso pointed out on Monday after his arrival at the British team became official. Only time will tell if we give him enough means to expand the numbers.

Last win: 2013 Spanish Grand Prix

The goal of winning was largely pursued by the returning Alonso, but the truth is that Alpine does not seem to be able to achieve it at this point. The Spaniard finished his fifth place finish in Great Britain as his best result of the year. In his one-and-a-half year with the team, he has only added three players to the top five.

Therefore, his last victory dates back almost ten years. It was his 2013 Spanish Grand Prix with Ferrari, the last of his 11 victories he won with the ‘Scuderia’. Neither at McLaren from 2015 to his 2018, nor at Alpine this past two of his seasons, he had the tools to contend for the prestigious position. In fact, since ending his time with Ferrari in 2014, he has only briefly led the early races in Hungary in 2021.

Final podium: 2021 Qatar Grand Prix

Nevertheless, Alonso managed to break the podium drought at the end of last year. He managed to finish in his third place at his second scheduled Qatar Grand Prix from the end of the calendar, cutting the box in the distance separating him from his 100 in F1. Currently he has his 98. So far.

The podium in Qatar also marked a long winning streak without stepping on the podium since his Ferrari days. Alonso said goodbye to his Italian team in 2014, where he finished third in China and second in Hungary. Combined with that of Losail, they are his three last Asturian accomplishments.

Last Pole: 2012 German Grand Prix

The furthest record for Alonso is the pole position. His last accomplishments were his 2012 Germany, Hockenheim and Ferrari his team. But beyond that conquered podium, it was the drought that nearly broke out recently. He started this year in Canada in his second place, but he was more than 0.6 seconds behind Max Verstappen.

It remains to be seen if Alonso can fight this year to return to the top of the starting grid. That aspect will also be decisive in understanding what Alonso and Aston he could be aiming for in his 2023 Martin.

Last fastest lap: 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix

The Alpine’s top speed was not one of its strengths, nor was Alonso able to luxuriate in the fastest lap section. Since ending his career with Ferrari, he has had his two accomplishments with McLaren in both his 2016 Italy and his 2017 Hungary. This will also be a good incentive for Aston in his new stage at his Martin.