Alonso turned down offer from Alpine to move to Aston Martin

alpine team manager formula one, Otmar Szafnauerfound out about the Spanish signature Fernando Alonso To aston martin Only when he read the official press release did he vouch at a meeting with the media this Tuesday.

Two-time F1 World Champion Alonso has taken the wheel from the German, signing a multi-year deal with Aston Martin from 2023. Sebastian Vettelannounced his retirement at the end of the World Cup last week.

Alonso’s decision to join Aston Martin came as a surprise to Szafnauer, who was convinced Alpine would own it. Renaultsigns a new contract with the 41-year-old pilot.

“That was the first confirmation I got,” Szafnauer told reporters on Zoom. rice field.

“Had we heard they were interested, we probably would have had a conversation, but I was sure we were very close.” No update happened.

“Yes, the first thing I saw was the press release. I asked[Alonso]a question and he said to me: ‘No, no, I have not signed anything.’ So I was a little surprised,” he admitted after learning of the transfer.

Szafnauer said Alpine had offered Alonso a contract extension.

“We offered him a one-plus-one deal, and we talked with Fernando: ‘Look, if you’re performing at the same level at this moment next year, of course we’ll accept you and that’s it. It may continue,'” he added.

“But I think he wanted more certainty, regardless of performance. ‘I want to stay longer.'” I think it was the point of adding one year instead. ”