More than three weeks have passed since the signing of Fernando Alonso by Aston Martin was announced, which immediately caused an earthquake in Alpine that Oscar Piastri finished off by refusing to replace him in Alpine. Now, the Spanish has given his version of the facts.
Fernando Alonso has appeared for the first time before the specialized Formula 1 media to clarify all doubts regarding his departure from Alpine and subsequent signing with Aston Martin.
Following the surprising announcement, a crisis arose in alpinewith the invaluable help of Oscar Piastri, the young Australian talent who was destined to replace the man from Oviedo, but who has decided to go to McLaren.
And several factors led many to think that both pilots had conspired against Alpine together and with the collaboration of Flavio Briatore and Mark Webber.
Loading tweet…
1561319438464565250
Szafnauer lights the fuse
The Aston Martin signing announcement was surprising, but nothing we haven’t seen multiple times in the sport. However, what happened next fueled suspicions.
First, Alpine took longer than usual to react, though she did so gracefully. Subsequently, Otmar Szafnauer was in charge of showing his face and affirmed that Fernando Alonso had not informed him of his departure the last time they spoke.
The next day, Alpine announced Oscar Piastri as the starting driver for 2023but he denied such a statement and rumors soon intensified that he was placed in McLaren to replace Daniel Ricciardo.
After all this, the conspiracy theory took shape: Flavio Briatore and Mark Webber, this last representative of Piastri, they had synchronized to hatch the plot that left Alpine without both pilots, as Fernando Alonso had waited until August 1 to communicate his departure. That was, in theory, the day Piastri was released from his contract with Alpine.
Fernando Alonso, very upset
“Not at all, I read it in the early days and honestly, it was quite sad and upsetting to read that conspiracy”said Fernando Alonso when asked about this matter at Spa-Francorchamps, where this weekend he is contesting the Belgian Grand Prix with Alpine.
“The comments I read made me sad. Flavio (Briatore) is not part of any of the negotiations. I’ve always done my thing and he came to some races, plus he had agreements with Stefano (Domenicali, president of Formula 1) and the Paddock Club. But nothing related to me », he stated next.
The Spaniard has reiterated that the main trigger for his departure was Alpine’s lack of faith in him. “I made this decision and explained the reasons. For a few months he had been talking to the team about extending the contract, but nothing happened and Aston called me after Sebastian retired.
“These were very clear and easy decisions on my part. What happened next and what is happening with Oscar is not at all my doing. Oscar is an incredible talent for any team and for Alpine. I have been working with him for two years and I wish him the best and also the best for Alpine»insisted Fernando Alonso, who affirms that he will keep the formation based in Enstone in his heart.
«It is my team only for this year, but it will be a team that will always be in my heart. We achieved things that were unthinkable when we started the relationship and I returned to the sport with Alpine as well, so I only wish the best for them », he concluded.
Font: GP Fans
/
Photos: Alpine F1 Team