Brown: “Alonso proves that age does not hinder success”

Alonso-McLaren: not an easy marriage

The relationship between Fernando Alonso and McLaren had ended abruptly in 2018, the year in which the Spaniard compared the performance of the then Honda power unit to a “GP2 engine”, doing so on the occasion of the Japanese engineer's home race in Suzuka. A radio team that perfectly summarized a negative period for the Spaniard in Woking, almost overshadowing the fight for the world title in which he had been involved in the previous experience dating back to 2007. Even in that case, however, there was no shortage of controversy for the internal rivalry with the debutant Lewis Hamilton, which proved decisive for the defeat of both drivers in favor of Kimi Raikkonen.

The bet on Aston Martin

After a two-year sabbatical from F1, the double world champion returned in Circus at the wheel of Alpine in 2021, and then reaching an agreement withAston Martin for the season just ended. A 2023 in which Alonso surprised everyone with the conquest of ben eight podiums and with the leading role especially in the first half of the world championship, completing a championship which he defined as the best of his career together with that of 2012, in that case as a Ferrari driver.

McLaren's comeback

Having reached 4th place in the general classification with 206 points scored, the 42-year-old gave rise to exciting duels with drivers belonging to other teams, including McLaren itself. Contrary to the performance of the Asturian, the British team had started the season with some difficulty, only to then recover from the Austrian GP to get the better of the Constructors' standings over Aston Martin, fifth and immediately behind the pair formed by Norris and Piastri.

Zak Brown's praise

A show dictated by continuous battles that thrilled the McLaren CEO Zak Brownwho, in an open letter to the fans, also praised Alonso's qualities: “Throughout the year, the battle between the drivers has been intense and has enthralled Formula 1 fans around the world – he wrote – It was also great to see our former driver and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso prove that at 42 years old Age is no barrier to success, taking six podiums in the first eight races. Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin didn't make it easy for us, but we pushed in every race and every lap, resulting in a thrilling finale in which the final positions in the FIA ​​Formula 1 World Constructors' Championship were only decided on the 23rd. °, and last, event of the season. Never before have five different teams achieved seven podiums in the same season, which underlines the competitive nature of this year's starting grid.”