For Fernando Alonso, 2023 is his best season since failing to win the title in 2012
Fernando Alonso believes that his 2023 season with Aston Martin has been his best year in Formula 1. He compares it to the one in 2012 and his missed title with Ferrari against Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.
The 2005 and 2006 world champion stepped onto the podium in six out of his first eight races with Aston Martin, after leaving Alpine during the winter. Alonso finished fourth in the 2023 drivers’ championship, ahead of Charles Leclerc from Ferrari on the countdown and one point ahead of Lando Norris from McLaren.
Even if things became more difficult for Aston Martin as the season went on, Alonso still found moments to excel, notably an impressive battle on the final lap with Sergio Perez that earned him his eighth and final podium in Brazil, which he deemed even more challenging than the battle he had to fight against Schumacher in 2006 at Imola.
The 42-year-old driver believes that his performance in 2023 equals that of 2012, which he considers to be his best year in F1. « I am happy with my personal performance. I believe that, along with 2012, it is the best season for me in terms of driving. I was happy with everything and motivated. I was in shape and sometimes performed well in difficult conditions. »
When asked about his best performances of the year, he replied: “« Bahrain, Monaco, Canada, Monza, and Brazil would be my top five of the year ».”
« And I mentioned Monza specifically because it was a ninth place. It wasn’t a podium, it wasn’t anything people will remember, but we probably had the slowest car at Monza, or the second slowest, and getting into the points was an achievement. »
The Spaniard felt that the celebration of each of his podiums by his new team was contagious and believes that it is important for the spirit to endure next year, when the novelty of success has worn off.
« They have had some good results with Force India, with Racing Point, but consistently getting on the podium or fighting at the highest level is new for many people. I think they appreciate it more than the other teams. […] It was contagious and that energy was very pleasant to see. We celebrate every result as a victory and it is important to keep that energy for next year. »
