Fernando Alonso allegedly lied to Alpine director Otmar Szafnauer to join Aston Martin: "I am very surprised by this announcement"

The announcement of the transfer of Fernando Alonso surprised many, especially Alpine’s boss. The day after the Spaniard’s official arrival at Aston Martin in 2023, Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine’s director since February 2022, returned to this much talked-about event in the paddock. At a press conference on Tuesday, August 2, the remarks were made. motor sportsThe 57-year-old executive revealed he learned the news like everyone else, namely when the Aston Martin press release was released:This is my first confirmation…“

This is why Otmar Szafnauer suspects that Aston Martin took over the transfer of Fernando Alonso for several weeks: “Of course, there are all kinds of rumors when I’m in the paddock, and I’ve also heard rumors that Aston is interested. So the debates probably took place, and there are other indications that the debates are taking place. For example, getting out of the same trailer at the same time, that sort of thing, I see…“The Alpine director was therefore stunned when he heard the news, especially as Fernando Alonso refused any deal with Aston Martin:”But even in negotiations I was convinced and that we are very close, there is nothing wrong with exploring other options. So the first confirmation I got was indeed the press release. I asked the question and he (Fernando Alonso) replied: ‘No, no, I didn’t sign anything’. So I was a little surprised…“

Since then Otmar Szafnauer has not spoken to Fernando Alonso: “I haven’t spoken to him since he was on a boat somewhere in the Greek islands.” Alpine’s manager Bitter explained that the double world champion is still close to extending his contract with Alpine: “There were a few minor minor issues and he said his lawyer would get back to us. I believed. Then, before I left, I confirmed to him that we would be signing soon. And he said, ‘Yeah, don’t worry, I haven’t signed with anyone else.

For Otmar Szafnauer, the long-term contract offered by Aston Martin was crucial in Fernando Alonso’s final decision: “We offered a one-year contract with an optional additional year. We told Fernando that if he was at the same level of performance next year at the same time, we would definitely choose him and we could continue together. But I think you want more precision regardless of performance. (quoting) ‘I want to stay longer’… That was the trick, one optional two years, one optional three or four years.“It is not yet clear whether the future departure of Fernando Alonso will affect the end of the Alpine season. The French team is fighting fiercely with McLaren in the constructors’ championship. For the moment, Alpine, 4^to With 99 points, he leads the English team by 5 points.^to with 95 points.

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