Having a guaranteed seat in Formula 1 is within the reach of many drivers, and in each season, the well-known silly season (a time of rumors in the transfer market) makes the members of the grid go from one team to another in a matter of hours. with simple conversations that are heard in the paddock.
However, there is someone who is established in the top category of motorsport thanks to his skills and experience, Fernando Alonso, who returned after two years trying his luck in competitions such as the Indianapolis 500, the Dakar Rally or the World Endurance Championship, who won with Toyota.
In the summer of 2020, he announced his return to Formula 1 with Renault, which was renamed Alpine shortly after, with a multi-year contract that ensured his presence in the next two courses. To reaffirm his association with the French team, he signed the renewal for the 2022 season in August 2021, but rumors of his departure emerged with the start of the championship.
The repeated failures of reliability and the lack of results led to talk of a possible departure of Alonso from Alpine, something that the team did not deny, saying that it would not be until summer when they would make a decision. As if that were not enough, the great promise of Australian motorsport belonging to the French team, Oscar Piastri , wants to have a seat in 2023 , and many assured that he could fill the Asturian’s place.
Nothing has yet been signed at Enstone , and although positions are very close between Fernando Alonso and the team, team boss Otmar Szafnauer was asked again about the matter.
The head of Alpine, after the 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix, confirmed the moment in which they will sit down to finalize the renovation: “After the summer we should have a talk and a decision.”
“Because the season is so late… In the old days, when we finished in October, the ‘ silly season ‘ was a little earlier,” said the American director. “But now, even though we haven’t made it to December, we’re going to be close, and it’s a good time.”
Szafnauer wanted to keep the intrigue as to whether they will finally renew Alonso in their ranks, although he admits that he finds no reason to get rid of him: “I haven’t thought about it, but he’s driving brilliantly, he qualifies and runs well, that’s what it’s all about” .
“We will decide with all that,” assured the Alpine boss when the economic issue was put on the table. “There you have it, it’s something to keep in mind to make a good decision.”
