Szfanauer: Alpine can "perform better" than Aston Martin while Alonso is there
Otmar Szfanauer's last 24 hours have been very chaotic, with the Alpine team principal going from a strong roster of three drivers to potentially losing two of them.
The newly appointed Alpine has admitted he did not expect Alonso to sign a contract with Aston Martin, as he was confident both parties were close to agreeing on a deal.
However, the terms offered were not acceptable to Alonso, who was only given a 1+1 contract by team Enstone compared to the more favourable long-term deal finalised with Aston Martin.
As quoted by Spanish outlet AS.com, Otmar Szfanuaer believes Alonso has made a mistake in changing his allegiances:
"I know the two teams well because I spent twelve years on the other team. I know the people there even more than here [at Alpine]. I know that in December, they signed some good people, alongside Dan Fallows [ex-Red Bull] and Eric Blandin [ex-Mercedes].
"I know what they're trying to do. Both teams have a lot of potential. But today, Alpine performs at a much higher level. In the short term, we will be at this level or even better.
"There are plans here to win in 100 races. We will hire 75 more people in strategic areas, and there are tools that we are improving, like the simulator.
"I am confident that we can do better than the team that Fernando is going to in the time that he is going there."
Otmar Szafnauer is confident about his new project with Alpine, unsurprising given their current position and trajectory.
The A522 has been consistently at the front of the midfield, and Szafnauer will hope the French squad's resources and investment will facilitate their progression to the front of the field.
Alonso's next destination - Aston Martin - also has the potential to grow, though the Silverstone team's foundations for these new regulations are far less impressive than that of their BWT-sponsored rivals.
Ultimately, the results on track will determine which project will be the more successful.