The evolution of Fernando Alonso — 'Aston driver is just enjoying F1'

A question was put to him that I was sure was going to lead to the previously standard Alonso response. The Spaniard was asked whether the opening-race podium has him thinking about his 33rd grand prix victory, and it was ripe for Alonso to talk up Red Bull’s advantage and suggest it would need some sort of miracle drive from himself to pick up a win. But that’s no longer the approach.

“Yep,” Alonso replied confidently. “I would say yes because when you are P3 in race one, there are 22 opportunities this season. And even last year, I remember in Canada, wet qualifying, we were in the first row of the grid. You know, anything can happen in 22 races with different conditions.

“I will try my best to have the opportunity. Maybe we need some help. Last year, we needed some help from the top teams just to get the podium. Maybe this year, if there is this help or there is some retirements in front of us or some problems maybe it’s more than a podium. So let’s hope for that.”

It wasn’t one answer in isolation, either. Alonso had been willing to speak about the car’s potential for development and how Aston Martin is in a position where it should be able to make big strides with a new concept, compared to the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari who have been trying to improve upon last year’s designs.

There’s a welcome blend of almost-youthful exuberance about Alonso at the start of his latest venture, but coupled with an acknowledgement that he is in the latter seasons of his storied career and doesn’t have time on his side if he wants to taste success again. The latter could have led him to become impatient if it was a tough season for Aston – especially if 2022 was repeated – but that situation was comfortably sidestepped by the excellent job done by the team at Silverstone over the winter.

Alonso’s ticking clock is keeping the pressure on, though. This is a season where Aston Martin genuinely has a chance to work its way to the front of the pack and at the very least be Red Bull’s main rival. With more car development time compared to Ferrari and Mercedes – and much more compared to Red Bull – it has a baseline that it can move forward from significantly. Not only that, it has the personnel to do so, and a new factory coming online in a matter of weeks that really doesn’t look like it will have a negative impact on that process.

It all adds up the most positive Alonso has felt in Formula 1 in a decade.

“I think 2013. Yeah, we were leading the championship, I think, after Barcelona. So we had a contender package but after that I think I didn’t feel as good as now.”

It’s not just in his answers, it shows in other ways, too. Aston Martin managed to persuade Alonso to start a TikTok account to engage with the younger fanbase that is following F1, with his two most-watched videos being a comical reaction to seeing the team’s new car and even more comical attempt at The Griddy dance move in the pit lane.

@fernandoalonso

Am I doing this right? #F1 #F1TikTok

♬ original sound – Barstool Sports

Alonso isn’t worried about taking himself too seriously, or overly concerned about cultivating a specific image. He’s just enjoying this new phase of his career, one that he probably wasn’t expecting to fall into place even when he returned with Alpine in 2021, let alone when that project appeared to be moving far too slowly for his liking.

Towards the end of his McLaren days, Alonso cut a tired figure who was struggling to escape the frustration of the team’s failure. Internally, certain team members spoke of the improvement in atmosphere when Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris became the driver pairing, having been unaware of the impact of Alonso’s demeanour at the time.

But now Alonso is spoken about in similar ways to the drivers who replaced him, as a further boost to an Aston Martin team that already had the pleasure of working with Sebastian Vettel over the past two seasons.

A combination of Alonso leading a team controlled by Lawrence Stroll will always have the potential for fireworks – and those were potentially one sliver of carbon fibre away from being ignited when Lance Stroll almost took his team-mate out on lap one in Bahrain – but it is quickly showing what a formidable blend it could become.

The double world champion is in a very good place right now, regardless of the car, but Aston is certainly providing the environment that has the potential to get the best out of him.