Verstappens on Alpine exit Alonso: "Nobody expected it but us"
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For a long time it seemed that a contract extension for Fernando Alonso at Alpine was part of his 'El Plan', but in the end it became a move to Aston Martin. The transition of the two-time World Champion came as a big surprise to everyone, but Jos and Max Verstappen already knew on the day of the Hungarian GP.
Alonso surprises friend and foe
When Jos Verstappen was asked about the most surprising switch in 2023, he did not have to think long. "I think it was Alonso going to Aston Martin. Well nobody expected it except us," Verstappen sr. pointed in Max's direction in Viaplay's F1 Talks. "We were sitting in the plane with him on the day before, but I had a feeling." Alonso announced on 1 August, the day after the Hungarian Grand Prix, that he was swapping Alpine for Aston Martin.
Max added: "When you were talking to him you could feel which direction he was going into." With Alonso not signing on with Alpine, they bought out Pierre Gasly 's ongoing contract at AlphaTauri and Nyck de Vries was brought in by Helmut Marko to succeed the Frenchman.
Verstappen and De Vries
For Verstappen, a lot changes now that there are two Dutchmen active in Formula 1 within the Red Bull family, but of course he thinks it is cool. "For me personally you focus on what you have to do in the car. But I just think it's nice you know, I know Nyck already for such a long time but to be in the same family yeah it's great. I think for him you know just finally getting that opportunity to show what you can do it's gonna be nice and for sure also marketing they come up with some fun things to do," he laughed, referring to the fun promotional videos Red Bull always manages to make.