Is Alonso’s age a hindrance to his contract extension at Alpine?
A few days after Fernando Alonso's confirmed departure to Aston Martin in 2023, tongues are slowly loosening. New details about the reasons for the Spanish driver's non-extension within the French team are being revealed.
Alpine seemed close to finalizing a new contract with the double world champion until he announced his departure to Aston Martin, catching everyone by surprise.
Apparently, one of the key factors in Alonso’s decision would have been the duration of the contract. Lawrence Stroll’s team offering him a longer-term contract, here, for a duration of 3 years with options included in the contract.
The French team was not ready to commit to such a long-term agreement with an aging driver. Alpine wanted to have more flexibility, just in case Alonso displayed poorer performances, less speed on the track.
A decline at the end of one’s career.
While at 41 years old, Alonso didn’t seem to show many signs of aging or fatigue, Alpine insists that there is indeed a turning point that can occur in the driver’s career.
The team boss, Otmar Szafnauer, revisited Alonso’s decision and what had been offered to him by Alpine, emphasizing that the age of the driver could not be overlooked in the negotiations.
It’s always hard to predict the future. As I’ve always said, if I could predict the future, I certainly wouldn’t be here, but rather in Las Vegas.
« We offered a one-year guaranteed contract, with another year as an option, saying to Fernando, listen, if you perform as well next year, of course we’re going to keep you. But I think he wanted more certainty about his future, regardless of the level of performance of the car. I really think that was the central point of the negotiations, since he was offered a two-year contract with an option, or three years with an option, or three guaranteed years.
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Alpine at a dead end
Szafnauer stated that even the greatest drivers in history, like Michael Schumacher, were obviously on the decline towards the end of their careers. « There is inevitably a moment when something psychologically happens to a driver, and then they no longer have the same abilities as when they were younger. »
« I think that’s what happened to Michael Schumacher. It’s fair to say that at 42, he wasn’t the same driver as he was at 32 or 35, and that happens to other athletes as well. »
One thing is certain, Alpine is in turmoil with Alonso’s departure and Piastri’s refusal to race for the French team. Otmar Szafnauer will have his work cut out for him to find a driver to line up alongside Esteban Ocon next year.
