An interesting rumour has emerged during the F1 Canadian GP weekend as Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has been spotted multiple times in the Alpine hospitality unit across the course of the weekend.
It all started to kick off in FP3 as David Croft brought it up during live commentary of the session on Sky Sports alongside Nico Rosberg and Karun Chandhok.
David Croft discusses intriguing situation regarding Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin and Alpine at F1 Canadian GP
“Where there’s an Alpine story about driver movement there’s a Fernando Alonso rumour as well.
“Those rumours once again surfacing this morning in the paddock. Fernando Alonso has been into the Alpine motorhome four times during the course of this weekend.
“Is something going on that could see Fernando Alonso back at Enstone again for a fourth time? Watch this space on that one, that’s just the paddock rumour.”
Marcin Budkowski backs up what David Croft was saying about Alonso visiting Alpine’s hospitality area at the F1 Canadian GP
It was a topic that also came up on Eleven Sports in Poland during their Saturday coverage at the F1 Canadian GP.
Former Alpine team principal Marcin Budkowski explained how he also saw the two-time F1 World Champion in the Alpine hospitality area at one stage earlier in the weekend.
“Yesterday morning I spoke with my former colleague from Alpine, and Fernando walked out of the hospitality area.
“Later on, I had a meeting there with the person responsible for the Alpine academy, discussing young Polish drivers. And as I was leaving, Fernando was sitting at a table with his girlfriend, who works here as a journalist. His trainer and some people from his entourage were also there.
“So that was the second time I saw him, and now you [Bartosz Budnik, journalist] are saying that someone [David Croft on Sky Sports] has apparently seen him even four times.
Regarding the reasons as to why Fernando Alonso might be there, Budkowski stated that he thinks Briatore would like the Spaniard back at Alpine, following his decision to join Aston Martin for 2023 after Sebastian Vettel retired from F1.
“Flavio would probably like to have him back in the team, so for sure he’s talking to him to keep that option open, just in case something happens at Aston and Fernando can end up at Alpine.
“It’s always amusing, because in motorsport, as we know, conflicts of interest are quite common. Even though things have improved a lot since the ’80s and ’90s, we should remember that Flavio is Fernando’s manager. So if Alpine were to hire Alonso, part of his salary would go straight into Flavio’s pocket.”
Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell not concerned by Fernando Alonso visiting Alpine
Asked by Nico Rosberg post-FP3 about it, Andy Cowell was very relaxed about things.
The Spaniard does have a contract with Aston Martin next year, and there is a possibility he could carry on beyond 2026 should the motivation and hunger remain.
“I’m happy for Fernando to wander into any garage. He knows lots of people up and down the pit lane.
“And I’m also happy with the fact that he’s contracted to us next year, and hopefully will stay with us long term as an ambassador.
“It’s great working with Fernando. It’s always good to have a competitive person that pushes, just like Nico [Rosberg] used to at Mercedes, and pushes the team on and galvanises the team.”
