Latest Episode | Cut To The Race Podcast
Since his return to the F1 paddock in 2021, Fernando Alonso is still waiting on his return to the top step of the podium. But he insists Esteban Ocon’s triumph in Hungary was a fluke.
Speaking to GPFans.com, Alonso spoke on how Alpine had been very infrequent visitors to the front end of the grid.
“We don’t have the win because what happened in Hungary last year will never happen again in a hundred years, so that is a casualty.
“And then, the podium, maybe in Canada and Australia we had a chance but we lost by our own fault.”
Alonso’s relationship with Alpine and Ocon deteriorated throughout the 2022 season, resulting in his shock move to Aston Martin for 2023.
His closest shot at victory came in 2021, when a brilliant performance in Qatar resulted in a P3 finish.
But ever since, Alpine’s poor reliability restricted Alonso’s ability to bring home big points for the team.
In 2022 alone, the Spaniard suffered five in-race retirements, the most of anyone on the grid, dropping him to P9 in the drivers’ standings.
The lack in performance also started to affect Alonso’s relationship with Ocon. After a clash between the pair in Brazil, Alonso began to count down the days to his departure, exclaiming “One more race, and it’s over.”
Nevertheless, Alpine still managed to finish fourth in the constructors’ standings, narrowly beating out McLaren.
But this still didn’t impress the Spaniard, who added: “When you are not fighting for the championship, to be fourth or fifth doesn’t change much.”
It remains unclear how competitive Aston Martin will be in 2023, with promises of massive overhauls made ahead of the season opener in Bahrain.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images