Does Alonso’s move to Aston Martin make sense?- Formula 1

 

So by now, everyone has heard of the shocking, SHOCKING decision of Fernando Alonso to move to Aston Martin as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel. Vettel will be retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the year, and from the next season, Aston Martin will be home to Fernando Alonso. 

So why is everyone saying that this is a bad decision, and what does it mean for Formula 1?
Well, that’s what we are going to break down, right here at Fervent Motorsports. 

Alonso is 41! His first race in Formula 1 was wayyyyy back in 2001. He’s won 2 world championships also along the way. But if there’s something that he’s always managed to mess up, it’s the teams that he chooses to race for. 

He started with Minardi, then went to Renault, then Mclaren, then Renault, then Ferrari, then Mclaren again, and now Alpine, who were previously Renault. He’s the kind of guy who keeps getting back with his ex. 

All the teams Fernando Alonso has raced for in F1 🤯

What do you think of his move to Aston Martin? 💭#F1 #Alonso #Autosport pic.twitter.com/XoJ5xKYfKq

— Autosport (@autosport) August 1, 2022

Now while he did win world championships, 2 to be exact. Some of his moves were honestly just disaster moves. With the infamous Crash gate scandal , the rivalry with his teammate, Lewis Hamilton and him calling the McLaren car, a GP2 car.

Many times he never had a title-winning car, when he could win the title. 

So why would he move to Aston Martin?

He’s been offered a multi-year contract when alpine was reluctant to give him that. And at his age, the security of a multi-year contract is much more appealing than a 1-year extension. 

But the Alpines are currently the 4th Fastest car on the grid, and the Aston martin is the 2nd slowest car. So does the move make sense? 

Well, the plans from Aston Martin are long-term. They’ve built a brand new factory, with a new wind tunnel also coming up. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase and we could see them come up with an insanely fast car next year. They even hired ex red bull aerodynamics chief Dan Fallows . Next year’s car will be the first one that Fallows gets to work on from scratch. 

So all in all, Alonso’s next season at Aston Martin might be something magical, or it could be something of a joke, we’ll just have to wait and see what kind of car they give Fernando. 

Ham moved from a powerful Mclaren to a doubtful Merc because the project could be promising. He won 6 champs.

Alonso is moving with Dan Fallows and Eric Blandin, heads of Aero for Mercedes and Red Bull for the last 10+ years + own wind tunnel, you cannot tell what can happen

— EternalLuka (@EternalLuka) August 2, 2022

But how does this move affect the formula 1 team? 

The 2023 grid picture is emerging 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/kWi7rxoQd7

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2022

Well, Redbull, Mercedes, Ferrari and Mclaren are set for next year. Their drivers are locked in contracts and will likely not leave. 

However, its the other 6 teams that are going to have shakeups 

Alonso Leaving Alpine means that there’s a vacant seat there. Rumours have it that F3 and F2 champion Oscar Piastri could be joining there. As he is the team’s reserve driver. 

According to Scott Mitchel, Piastri’s contract w/ Alpine expired on July 31st.

Alpine wanted Alonso to renew for 1 yr as a “seat-warmer” of sorts for Piastri in 24′.

It seems like, Alonso waited for Piastri’s contract deadline and straight up F’d Alpine. Legend. 😂

— NaN — #𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑒𝑆𝑒𝑏 (@ZNi9e) August 2, 2022

At Aston martin, lance strolls contract ends this season. But his dad owns the company and I don’t think he’d kick out his son. 

lance, filmed in 2014, naming fernando alonso as his favourite driver.
i wonder what 2014 lance would think about today’s announcement…. pic.twitter.com/8Xx5BYfIPg

— toot woot (@formulawah) August 1, 2022

Gasly signed a contract with Alpha Tauri, but the future of Tsunoda depends on how he finishes this season. 

Veteran Valterri Bottas is comfortable too, With Rookie Zhou Gyuanyu’s future unknown as of now. 

Kevin Magnussen will continue at HAAS, he’s looked so much more confident since rejoining F1. However, Mick Schumacher could be on his way to a different team as his contract ends this year. 

And of course, Williams. While most teams have at least 1 driver on a multi-year contract, Williams will have 2 blank driver spots next year. And while their car is one of the slowest, it is a vital stepping stone into formula 1. 

The future of Alex Albon and life hangs in the balance, but the team are rumoured to be happy with Albons performances this season.