Fernando Alonso’s defection to sign a multi-year contract with Aston Martin took the Formula 1 world by surprise.
It has now been revealed that his current team, Alpine, found out about the news at the same time as everyone else.
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Aston Martin released a statement confirming that Alonso would join the team for the 2023 season, replacing the departing Sebastian Vettel.
But the big news surprised even Alpine, according to Formula 1 journalist Adam Cooper.
“Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer confirmed that the first the team heard of the news was when Aston Martin’s press release came out. As of Sunday night and the latest discussions with Alonso, the team thought he was staying,” Cooper tweeted.
Alonso, the two-time champion, announced a multi-year deal, starting in 2023, in the hope of climbing back up the drivers’ standings.
“This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to winning and is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today,” he said. “I have met Lawrence [Stroll] and Lance [Stroll] for many years and it is very clear that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula 1.
“I have seen how the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to the new facilities and resources at Silverstone.
“No one in Formula 1 today is showing a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.”
Alonso’s decision to leave Alpine now opens the door for young Australian Oscar Piastri to get behind the wheel of the F1 team.
Alpine is now ready to play hard ball with the talented youngster who is managed by Mark Webber.
Piastri and Webber have reportedly agreed a deal with McLaren with Alpine’s plan to keep Alonso on board for another season before installing Piastri behind the wheel.
However, Alonso’s bombshell defection changed all that. McLaren’s rumored switch could spell the end for fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
Szafnauer said that while he was not aware of discussions between Piastri and McLaren, he reiterated that the Australian has contractual obligations to Alpine.
“I hear the same rumblings as you in the pitlane. But what I do know is that he has contractual obligations to us. And we do to him. And we’ve been fulfilling those obligations all year,” Szafnauer said autosport.
“And these obligations last until the 23rd, and possibly the 24th, if some options are adopted.”