Alonso Could Challenge for Title with Top Team, Says Longtime Associate Briatore
[CITY, DATE] - Fernando Alonso possesses the talent to be a contender for the Formula 1 World Championship if placed in a leading car like those fielded by McLaren or Red Bull, according to Flavio Briatore, a longtime associate and former team principal.
Briatore, who currently heads AlpineS F1 team and shares a long history with Alonso dating back to the driver’s early career, made the comments to ESPN. He believes Alonso,who will continue racing with Aston Martin through 2026,is capable of winning again given the right machinery.
“Sure, I hope. I hope,” Briatore stated, expressing optimism about Alonso’s potential. He highlighted Aston Martin’s recent acquisition of renowned designer Adrian Newey as a key factor, adding, “Aston has the top genius. Let’s see how the genius is doing. I’m very curious.”
Briatore emphasized Alonso’s consistent performance when provided with a competitive car. “All the time [when] the car is competitive, Fernando is there. He’s always there. If Fernando was sitting in the McLaren or sitting in the Red Bull [this season] I promise you, he’d still be in the race.”
Alonso, a two-time World Champion (2005, 2006) under Briatore’s leadership at Renault, has a history of near misses, losing championship battles in 2007 with mclaren, and 2010 and 2012 with ferrari. His last race victory came in 2013.
Briatore dismissed claims of Alonso being tough to manage, describing him as a team player. “Sometimes the people put the news out that Fernando was very difficult to manage. And this is a lot of rubbish, really,” he said.”Fernando is always a teammate. The guy keeps the team together, makes everybody working together.” He pointed to Alonso’s current role at Aston Martin, even with a less competitive car, as evidence. “But him, he’s there all the time. he’s like a Rottweiller. You know, you go in one place and the Rottweiller bites you all the time.”
Alonso’s future beyond his current contract, which extends through the end of next season, remains open. He has indicated he would consider retiring after another full season in a competitive car, but is more likely to continue if Aston Martin struggles to find pace.
Adding another layer to the situation, reports have surfaced suggesting Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has ambitions of securing the services of four-time World champion Max Verstappen in the future.
