Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer says the Renault-owned team will "consider" renewing Fernando Alonso for 2023. As the two-time world champion's contract nears its end, rumors suggest that Alpine may turn to reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri - with Alonso, 40, eyeing a move to Aston Martin.
Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer says the Renault-owned team will "consider" renewing Fernando Alonso for 2023. As the two-time world champion's contract nears its end, rumors suggest Alpine may turn to reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri - with 40-year-old Alonso eyeing a move to Aston Martin.
"I can imagine many things," team boss Szafnauer told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper when asked about Alonso's future at Alpine. "We haven't started seriously considering things for next year because it's still very early in this season. But of course we have to consider Fernando."
"He is a great competitor and he is very integrated and happy with the team. And for those reasons we would be very foolish not to consider extending his contract. But this kind of decision is made a little later in the year for all teams," Szafnauer added.
He said he "understands" why Alonso has scored only 2 points so far in 2022, compared to 24 points for his young French teammate Esteban Ocon. "It's not Fernando's fault," Szafnauer commented, adding that Alonso is also "intelligent" enough to know that the Alpine is not ready to win races.
As for why the team is not ready to offer Alonso a new deal, however, he replied, "It's just because the timing of all the teams means that traditionally things are done a little later."