“We wanted to do 1 year at a time,” Otmar Szafnauer reveals Fernando Alonso’s age as a ‘factor’ behind not offering a long-term deal
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Otmar and Fernando
Otmar Szafnauer the Alpine team Principal has shed light on the contract negotiations that Alpine had with Fernando Alonso and has revealed that they offered him a 1+1 contract which did not sit well with the former two-time world Champion.
Moreover, Otmar Szafnauer has indicated that the reason behind not offering the Spaniard a long-term deal was Fernando Alonso’s age. The Spaniard recently turned 41 years old.
While stressing over it Otmar said, “We offered a 1+1 deal, and we discussed with Fernando that: look, if next year at this time, you are performing at the same level, of course, we will take you. And that could have carried on.”
“But I think he wanted more certainty, independent of performance. I think that was the crux of the 1+1 as opposed to the 2+1 or 3+1 or three years.”
Fernando Alonso wanted the security that Alpine was not willing to provide and in the chaos of the situation, Aston Martin swooped in and made a deal with the prolific Alonso.
Fernando Alonso has signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin and is going to stay in the sport in 2023 and for some years after that.
Also Read: McLaren ends Daniel Ricciardo’s deal prematurely, eyes new contract with Oscar Piastri
Otmar Szafnauer’s reason behind not offering Fernando Alonso a loner deal
Given Fernando Alonso is 41 years old, it makes sense to offer Alonso a 1+1 contract. While further dwelling on the reason behind their offer, Otmar Szafnauer said, “There does come a time when something happens physiologically to a driver and you don’t have the same abilities you did when you were younger.”
“I think it happened to Michael, I think it’s fair to say, Michael Schumacher at 42 was not the same driver he was he was at 32 or 35, and it happens to other sportsmen too.”
“So we were in favor of, yes if you are performing at a high level, for sure we’ll keep you, but let’s do it one year at a time, and I think he wanted a longer duration.”
Well, everything is done and dusted now, and given that Alpine has got a seat to fill for the 2023 F1 season, it is going to be fascinating to see who dares to fill the massive gap that Fernando will leave at the end of the current campaign at the Enstone-based F1 team.
Also Read: ‘Mercedes wanted to replace Lewis Hamilton with Fernando Alonso’
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