Huge surprise, disappointment, incomprehensible choice: supporters ofAlpine shocked by Alonso's departure

The announcement had the effect of a bomb Monday morning. Fernando Alonso will drive for Aston Martin in 2023 and will leave Alpine at the end of the current season. A total surprise which took many fans of the arrowed brand by surprise. On social networks, hundreds of supporters expressed their astonishment, some their anger and others their incomprehension. “The signing of Fernando at Aston is clearly a shock. We didn't see it coming. » admits Anthony, 19 years old and supporter of Renault-Alpine since 2006.

“At first I thought it was a joke”

Many still see, with nostalgia, the relationship between Alonso and the French team like that of the two world titles in the 2000s. The return of the double world champion in 2020 within the teamenstone and de Viry-Châtillon had caused the joy of fans, who cannot realize that the divorce is now close. “It’s a huge surprise (…). We had the impression that things were going really well for the Blues and that it was going to last. When we see how happy he was to be back (…), the joy in Hungary last year at the victory ofOr with. The “El Plan” since the end of last year is quite incomprehensible” declares Matthieu, 20 years old.

Same speech for Darius, supporter since the early hours of the Alonso-Renault duo. “I was super saddened since I started watching the F1 at the same time as Alonso arrived at Renault, and it has always been my favorite combination. »

The timing of the announcement is also surprising, the day after the Hungarian Grand Prix and the first day of the summer break. “No one expected it. From the press release of Aston Martin, I thought it was a joke » exclaims Fabien, 31 years old. “At the time I was convinced that it was a fake, nothing else, then it was confirmed. I still don't want to believe it. »  admits Clément, a fan of Alonso since his second F1 title.

French supporters ofAlpine are divided between disappointment and anger. “Anger is what still dominates for the moment, while waiting to learn more about what happened behind the scenes... Between Alpine and Alonso I hear. Despite everything, there is also a form of relief because it avoids Alpine to lose Piastres » believe Damien and Olivier, both 35 years old and supporters of the Losange brand since their return in 2002. 

Alonso at Aston Martin, a difficult choice to understand

Among the supporters ofAlpine just like Fernando Alonso fans, the Aston Martin choice raises questions. Why join a much less efficient team at the moment? Why join the family Stroll and team up with Lance, protégé at Aston Martin?  “I don't understand this career choice at all because given Aston's performances, it doesn't make you dream... I was hoping to see big performances from Fernando in 2023 at Alpine, but honestly I find it hard to believe it with Aston Martin” worries Julien, a fan since the first successes of the Taurus of Asturias.

For John, supporter of Renault thenAlpine since his childhood, the speech that the Spaniard has been able to give is not consistent with his decision to leave the French team. “ I find it all the more strange since Alonso often repeats that he always wants to fight at the front. Alpine is the best solution for him, despite reliability concerns. I think it is justified by the financial attraction, and that Alpine, knowing that she had Piastri as a backup, did not offer her a sum like that of Aston. »

Fans of the A arrow are also annoyed by the lack of stability in the driver line-up over the seasons. " As for Ricciardo, I was expecting a long-term project. Everything was there. I believed in it even more than in Ricciardo who was more of a mercenary. Today's announcement leaves me skeptical. I don't understand what Alonso is going to get from Aston other than a check." declares Damien, 41 years old and a supporter since 2005. 

Some, on the other hand, understand Fernando Alonso's decision. This is the case of Loïc Chenevas-Paule, author of the biography Alonso: From Asturias to Alpine, who admits not to have been surprised by the departure of the Iberian to Aston Martin. “It’s a choice that’s not that surprising. To be honest, I expected it. What really caught my attention was when he said that he would only need ten minutes to negotiate his contract with Alpine. (...) It is a coherent project, both for Alonso and for Aston Martin. The team will have the aura of a double world champion, one of the best drivers in history. For me, it's a parallel with what he was able to do Mercedes in 2010 with Schumacher »

An Ocon – Piastri duo at Alpine in 2023? “A leap into the unknown”

With the departure of Fernando Alonso, Alpine finds himself in a situation with a spare seat. By all logic, it would be Oscar Piastri, reserve driver for the French team, who would take the step to enter F1. “It’s a bit of a leap into the unknown. We have seen in the past that a dominant champion in F2 does not mean a good F1 driver, and as I said, Ocon has never been a real leader of a team. On the other hand, Piastri is announced as a very good future and Ocon seems to be improving with time... honestly it seems solid to me, but I find it quite risky all the same" Judge John. 

Esteban Ocon would then become the natural leader withinAlpine, which does not overly worry fans of the French team. Julien believes that the Norman now has the experience to lead a team. “He has clearly found his feet at Alpine, he is clearly up to the task of developing a car. As far as Piastri is concerned, he is a talent that clearly needs to show itself in Formula 1. The duo can work brilliantly and I have confidence in Piastri. This duo could become the most interesting on the grid in 2023.”

French fans of the French team, however, have some concerns about the return ofAlpine at the forefront within the deadlines imposed by the brand. “Ocon now has enough experience to develop the team but with the view thatAlpine intends to achieve, to play for victories in the 100 Grands Prix, it will objectively shift the plans once again… It’s frustrating” gets angry Fabien, editor for the site Confidential-Renault.

On the other hand, if there is one point on which everyone agrees, it is the professionalism of Fernando Alonso. All supporters ofAlpine are certain that the Spanish driver will fight hard to help the team finish 4th among the manufacturers. There are 9 races left on the calendar for Renault's darling to make his last stand with the Blues. Just to end the chapter in style.

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