Alonso: I’m in better shape than in previous years

In an interview with the press service of the team, Fernando Alonso spoke about the upcoming season, which he will spend as part of Aston Martin …

Question: Fernando, is it true that you are the best Formula 1 driver?
Fernando AlonsoA: No one knows the answer to that question. Every season is different. For years it seemed that Michael Schumacher was invincible, but in different years different riders dominated – and we can’t compare them.

What I really know is that I always try my best. I have no problems with motivation. It doesn’t matter if I’m fighting for fifth or fifteenth place, for me it’s a fight for victory, for the highest possible result in this situation. Every round I give 100%.

Q: Should you consider yourself the best driver to win in Formula 1?
Fernando Alonso: Regardless of the type of your activities, you must feel competitive, have the desire to become the best. I felt it as a child, ever since then I’ve been trying to be ahead of everyone in everything I do – in the race, on the tennis court, at the cards. It’s about taking advantage of your strengths and exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses. If I can’t beat them with plan A, I use plan B. If plan B doesn’t work, I go to plan C. I always fight whoever my opponent is.

Many riders are in top form. I treat everyone with great respect. Everyone is talented in their own way, everyone has their own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing how to use them is what makes you the best.

Q: Before you said you learned a lot from Michael Schumacher. What exactly did you mean?
Fernando Alonso: Michael had no bad days, no bad results. This impressed me the most when I got into Formula 1 and fought for wins with him.

Before, before him, when I participated in other series, my opponents had bad days, which I used. Michael had no such weaknesses. Even when his car left much to be desired, he finished in the top three.

Q: You left the team, which was more successful than Aston Martin last year. Why did you choose Aston Martin?
Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin is committed to succeeding in the future. The team is determined to become one of the participants in the fight for the title, which leads to optimism. You see investments, a new base, talented engineers – and you want to be part of this project.

Moreover, it is a brand. Aston Martin is a cult brand in motorsport and the automotive industry. I am proud to be part of the Aston Martin family and to write the next chapter in its history. This is a special opportunity for me, a unique moment in my career. I have prepared myself physically and mentally for this, I see this project as focused on winning. It’s only a matter of time before Aston Martin wins races and titles.

Question: What does a team have to do to become Formula 1 champion?
Fernando Alonso: Use all creativity and ingenuity to achieve the goal. In every fight, in every race.

Q: How long are you willing to wait for the first win?
Fernando Alonso: I don’t think about it. I will fight race after race, season after season. It is important that we make steady progress and are on the road to success. I will use all my experience and knowledge to help the team win the championship title one day.

Am I driving at that moment? Nobody knows. Impossible to predict. But I’ll do anything for it.

Q: How will you feel if Aston Martin succeeds after you retire?
Fernando Alonso: I will be proud of this and my contribution to success. Lance Stroll is a young and talented racer who could become world champion one day. I’ve known him for eleven years. We met in 2012 when I drove for Ferrari and he was a member of the Scuderia youth academy. And I’ve known his father for many years, Lawrence is a good friend of mine. I visited his home in Canada several times, played sports and had a great time.

Lance has speed, he has talent. He has proven this many times over, especially on wet roads. I remember his success in Turkey and some other great performances in the rain, when you need real talent, a special sense of understanding the characteristics of the machine.

Question: Are you ready for the start of the new season?
Fernando Alonso: I have been training constantly since December. The pre-season went much more smoothly this year than in 2021, when I had an accident while cycling and had to wear jaw plates afterwards.

This winter I was able to spend a lot more time on training. I am in better shape now than in years past.