F1 News: Fernando Alonso "Used To Be A Loner" Before Game-Changing Turn Around
As the sixth race of the 2023 season, the thrilling Monaco Grand Prix unfolded, Red Bull's Max Verstappen continues to be the most likely winner of the 2023 drivers' championship. However, aside from his teammate Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso is also a favourite to be a threat to the Dutch driver.
During an interview with BILD, Sky analyst and former pilot, Timo Glock, explained:
"I hope for Fernando [Alonso]. He brings in spice and aggressiveness with his style. He places his statements skilfully, does it very cleverly and has a lot of fun driving. You can tell by looking at him. He contributes to the team like never before.”
Glock envisaged a thrilling climax involving Alonso and Verstappen, but acknowledged the apparent dominance of Red Bull. The championship battle, he believed, would realistically play out between Verstappen and Pérez.
Interestingly, the Aston Martin team, spearheaded by Alonso, emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the 2023 season. The team demonstrated significant improvement and was then considered the main challenger to Red Bull.
Glock continued:
"It feels like he's more motivated than ever. He trains a lot, physically he's really capable of something, always has a smile on his face, is always positive and has worked a lot on himself.
"He almost looks like a decathlete, every muscle comes through the shirt."
Glock also noted a shift in Alonso's approach at this stage of his long and successful career. He added:
"Perhaps this whole topic after Formula 1 shaped him differently again, to drive LeMans, to work with the team.
"He used to be more of a loner. He still looks at himself mercilessly, but has understood well how to get the team behind him stronger. That made him even better. And his driving skills are on a completely different level, he doesn't make any mistakes."
The Spanish driver started from second position for the Monaco Grand Prix and finished in the same position. A mishap with tyre choices during the rain cost Alonso time and extended the lead for Verstappen who went on to win by a whopping 27 seconds.
Formula One is now heading into Alonso's home race for the Spanish Grand Prix this coming weekend.