Fernando Alonso has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Ferrari team. The Aston Martin driver questions some statements made by the seven-time world champion, but Alonso nevertheless thinks that Hamilton will do well at Ferrari. The Spaniard is aware that there is now a seat available at Mercedes and that he may be on the wish list. However, the driver would like to stay with Aston Martin.
On Monday morning, Aston Martin presented the new car for 2024. With the AMR24, Alonso must realize his dream of a 33rd victory in Formula 1. Even though the driver of the British racing team is currently 42 years old, he sees no reason to quit Formula 1. “I feel fitter than ever,” Alonso is quoted by De Telegraaf. ‘When I look at the results from the physical tests, I have never scored so well.’
Alonso has already been in the simulator for the new season, but on Monday he can also make real kilometers during a shakedown at Silverstone. The test days are scheduled for next week. ‘I don’t think it’s fair that you only have one and a half days per driver to prepare for a world championship. There is no sport in the world that involves so much money where that exists. Then I would have understood four days of testing even better, so that you both have at least two full days.’
Alonso shines light on Hamilton switch
Due to the news of recent weeks, the car presentations are only snacks. First it was announced that Hamilton is leaving for Ferrari and then the news came out that an independent investigation has been started into Christian Horner. Alonso has shed light on his former teammate’s switch. ‘In the last few years Ferrari had a very fast car and they were fighting for big things. Maybe Lewis can bring that extra to fight for the championship,” the Spaniard is quoted by the BBC.
‘The car is here. Even last year, with a very dominant Red Bull car, Ferrari managed to match the lap times and outpace them in most qualifyings, so the car should be fast enough,” is Alonso’s assessment. Still, he has doubts about Hamilton’s switch. The seven-time world champion himself indicated that his dream is coming true, but Alonso does not see it that way. ‘Twelve months ago it was not yet a boy’s dream. He even had another dream two months ago.”
Alonso looks at options for 2025
With Hamilton’s switch, the Mercedes team has a seat to fill. Alonso’s contract expires at the end of the season and so he seems to be a candidate. ‘I am aware of my situation, which is unique. There are only three world champions on the grid. I’m probably the only one available for 2025. So I’m in a good position.’ However, Alonso is not the only driver with an expiring contract. Several contracts are expiring, so a real silly season cannot be ruled out.
Although Mercedes is a possible option for Alonso, he mainly wants to focus on Aston Martin. The two-time world champion hopes to sign a contract extension with the team this year. ‘But if we cannot reach an agreement and I want to continue racing in F1, I know I am in a privileged position. I’m probably attractive to other teams because of the performance they saw last year and the dedication I showed,” said a confident Alonso.
