Fernando Alonso has been the protagonist on the eve of the Chinese Grand Prix 2024 Formula 1, fifth date of the season. After the previous test in Japan, the Aston Martin team announced the renewal of the Asturian driver, who among other things will be able to use the next technical rules in 2026, will once again use Honda engines and will be able to compete in the Spanish GP in Madrid.
The two-time Spanish champion has given his point of view on all this in the press conference prior to the Chinese GP and He has argued his decision to move on at 42 years old. He has confirmed that he had other proposals, that he spoke with Red Bull, but that he believes he was right to stay at Aston Martin.
“First I took my time, as I had to make sure it was the right decision to continue driving in Formula 1 and have the strength and motivation to continue for a few more years. After that, make sure the team had the right objectives. coming seasons that mark an ambition to continue improving more and more,” he explained.
“I think it was an easy decision for me and I am proud to represent Aston Martin for the next few years. We started our journey last season in a good way, and I am happy to continue, very proud, and to see what we can do,” he said. Alonso.
“Now that I’ve done it, I’m with Aston Martin and It doesn’t make much sense to talk about a possible signing for Red Bull, I’m only going to talk about Aston Martin. “I spoke to everyone, which is normal, but they were only small conversations,” he conceded.
Regarding the negotiations with Silverstone, he commented that “we simply sat down after Japan and reached a conclusion in just one or two days. It was quite simple, and once we reached the agreement, we announced it, everything is simpler than it would have been.” “It seems from the outside, that there are many rumors and speculations between the teams and drivers, with deadlines, but we are loyal, we reached an agreement and that’s it, it was simple.”
Regarding what it means for him to continue in F1 with the change of regulations in 2026, Alonso has been convinced that the future partnership of Aston Martin and Honda will be successful: “Things are set to be a very powerful team in the future and I wanted to be part of it. We have Honda as a new motorist, You can change the order of strength on the grid and we can be one of the strongest. That’s a little different to being a customer engine now with Mercedes, so I hope we can improve a little with that,” he considers.
After the previous bad experience at McLaren, when he came to accuse Honda of having the power of a GP2, Alonso has settled any controversy in this regard: “They are winning the championship now with Red Bull and they have shown their discipline and their work in the F1. With the new rules, I am very happy to return with Honda and seek success with them and it is one of the reasons to continue in F1.”
2024-04-18 09:09:36
#Alonso #explains #choice #Aston #Martin #confirms #contacts #Red #Bull
