“That’s the aim for sure,” Fernando Alonso weighs up his third F1 title chances for 2023

In 2023, Red Bull look like the dominant team. Though Fernando Alonso is realistic about his situation this season, the aim is still to win the title.

“That’s the aim for sure,” Fernando Alonso weighs up his third F1 title chances for 2023

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso will turn 42 this year, and he is on a multi-year contract at Aston Martin. The fact that he’s raced till this age is already quite the feat, and if he goes on further, he will continue to turn heads. Even at this age, he doesn’t seem to have declined that much – he’s as fast, sharp, and intelligent as ever. Finally, after many years, perhaps for the first time since 2013 with Ferrari, he has a car capable of competing for podiums, and potentially, wins.

He’s the most tenured driver in the history of the sport, having started 358 races over 20 seasons. But even now, the motivation remains – particularly in regard to the third title, which has proven very elusive. He came close a couple of times, notably in 2007 (losing out by one point), 2010 (four points), and 2012 (three points). The latter two came in his Ferrari days, against Sebastian Vettel.

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And he still believes the third title is possible – that’s his motivation to keep going. In an interview with Bang & Olufsen, when asked if he believed the third title is still possible, the Spaniard replied: “Always I believe it’s possible. That’s why I keep racing, obviously. You know the challenge is big, you know that you need to obviously overcome some difficulties and some top teams that are now top of the sport. But yeah, I race every day, and I train every day, thinking that the third title is possible.”

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Fernando Alonso’s answer on if he can win 2023 F1 title

Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso

Currently, in 2023, Aston Martin have probably the second-best package. Of course, this can vary from circuit to circuit – but they are there or thereabouts. But they have been unable to really challenge Red Bull, who are currently the top dogs, so to say. So, when referenced the “similar” beginning of the 2005 season, and asked if it’s possible to win a championship in 2023, Fernando Alonso was realistic.

The two-time world champion said: “Well, that’s the aim for sure, but I think at the moment, we have to keep the feet on the ground. The aim for the team is just to have a good season; they struggled a lot in 2022. So I think we have to – let’s say, walk before [we can run]. I think this 2023 campaign is just about getting better, and get to know the car better, start a new project from day one. And that’s where we are at the moment.”

He concluded: “So, yeah, hopefully we have more podiums and hopefully we fight for race wins. But I think to fight for the championship, we need to set the team a little bit before doing that.” Aston Martin’s progress from 2022 to 2023 has been incredibly impressive. After all, they were seventh last season but now look like one of the frontrunners.

There is still quite a way to go in the current season – there are 20 races left. So, if Aston Martin’s package improves soon, it’s still a possibility, though unlikely that Alonso can challenge for the title. Or at least for race wins consistently. Millions of his fans, his team, and he himself have been waiting for that 33rd win, and it may come this season.

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