“Sometimes better to look further,” Max Verstappen opines on Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise moves
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Max Verstappen
Summer break is at an end. There have been a few exciting developments over the course of the summer break and immediately preceding it: Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement, Aston Martin announced Fernando Alonso as his replacement, and McLaren announced that they will part ways with Daniel Ricciardo in 2023.
The announcement concerning Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso have been part of a larger saga involving Oscar Piastri. One can say it was all triggered by Sebastian Vettel’s announcing his retirement at the end of the season. Piastri was apparently in talks with McLaren over him replacing Daniel Ricciardo. However, there has still been no announcement regarding that, and a potential legal battle with Alpine may also be on the horizon, as the French team seek compensation.
Some were surprised by Fernando Alonso’s intentions to join Aston Martin, but the Spaniard revealed that it was a result of him being constantly evaluated at Alpine and in short, not feeling the love from the team (as told on the Formula 1 broadcast). Moreover, Alpine were only willing to offer him a one-year contract, and he wanted more. The reigning world champion, Max Verstappen understands both moves.
Max Verstappen: Aston Martin ‘a nice challenge’ for Fernando Alonso
In an interview with Motorsport, Max Verstappen was asked what he thought about the recent moves involving Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo. He understood Alonso’s decision and also said that the McLaren car had never suited Ricciardo.
He began with a laugh, saying that ‘it has been interesting’ and then continued: “For Fernando, I would say: why not? Aston Martin still has the ambition to come forward and they are also bringing in a lot of people at the moment. In that respect, I understand that Fernando is going there and the plan might still go to a wants to lift it to a higher level. That is in any case a nice challenge for him.”
As for Ricciardo, Verstappen thought that it was better to part ways with McLaren in his current situation: “As for Daniel, I don’t think the current car suits him. That hasn’t really improved in the past few months and then at some point you start talking and you say ‘Maybe it’s better if we both go different ways. .’ That’s how it goes sometimes, that’s normal.
He added: “Lando is a good driver, as we all know. But if you don’t feel comfortable in the car and can’t push to the limit, then of course you will never get to the same level as someone who can. Of course, I don’t know exactly. what exactly is going on, but if it doesn’t, sometimes it’s better to look elsewhere.”
Max Verstappen wants to see Daniel Ricciardo stay in Formula 1, as first and foremost, they get along well with each other, but he added that the performance component was up to the Australian. This is a crucial time for Ricciardo to prove his mettle as a racing driver once again, after what have been a disappointing 1 and a half seasons.
Also Read: “It’s gone a bit over the top,” Max Verstappen bashes F1’s revised measures to counter porpoising
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Aniket Tripathi
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