Ottmar Szafnar has reignited the debate over Fernando Alonso’s future, casting doubt on the Spaniard’s high-profile move to Aston Martin and hinting at a sensational return to Alpine. Szafnar, who oversaw Alonso’s departure from Alpine, did not hold back in his assessment, mocking the reasoning behind Alonso’s switch and openly questioning the wisdom of his career decisions.
Alonso’s change to Aston Martin was initially announced as a bold leap towards championship competition. The two-time world champion scored an impressive eight podiums in the 2023 season, increasing optimism that Aston Martin could soon challenge Formula 1’s elite – especially with the anticipated 2026 regulation changes. However, this optimism has evaporated in 2024, as the AMR26 has become one of the most disappointing cars in recent memory, with Alonso consistently stuck in the bottom end of the grid during the first half of the season. For a driver of Alonso’s calibre, whose ambitions rest firmly on fighting for world titles, this represents a bitter blow.
Speaking to High Performance, Szafnar reflected on the moment Alonso turned his back on Alpine. “He said he didn’t want to race for a team that celebrated fourth-place finishes, and he wanted to be world champion,” Szafnar recalled, highlighting the irony as Aston Martin’s struggles have kept Alonso out of championship contention and even out of the top four.
The former Alpine team principal also opened the door to a spectacular comeback for Alonso, but with a clear caveat. “He wouldn’t be going there to win. If he returned, it would probably be for 20 million reasons,” Szafnar commented, making an oblique reference to potential financial incentives that could tempt Alonso back to the French team, with Flavio Briatore particularly influential.
Despite these rumours, Szafnar cast doubt on Alpine’s ability to match the financial package currently offered by Aston Martin. Any decision by Alonso to leave Lawrence Stroll’s team would, in Szafnar’s view, be motivated primarily by sporting rather than monetary considerations.
As speculation grows about Alonso’s next move, scrutiny is intensifying over his latest gamble – one that, for now, appears to have backfired spectacularly. Szafnar’s scathing comments have only added fuel to the fire, ensuring that every development in the Alonso saga will be watched with keen interest in the Formula 1 paddock.
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