Fernando Alonso, 41, is a two-time Formula One world champion who is now preparing for a new journey with Aston Martin, but he hasn't given up hope of adding to his record of 32 grand prix victories.
But the Spaniard understood that it was unlikely to occur until 2023.
With his appetite unwavering, Alonso has signed from Renault-owned Alpine on a multi-year deal that is thought to be two years plus an option.
“I do think that there's a chance, “At the unveiling of the AMR23 vehicle at the team's Silverstone headquarters, the race winner for Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari addressed the media.
I doubt it will be this year. I have my feet on the ground, I promise you that much. I cannot promise anybody that this year we would pursue triumphs. If I say that, I will be lying. However, we also want to have a strong starting vehicle that we can continue to improve over the season.
If there is a chance and things change, maybe we may move closer in the second half of the year. If the chance arises, we won't let it pass us by.
But until we figure out how the vehicle works, I anticipate some challenging races in the beginning.”
After their 300th start, no Formula One driver has ever claimed victory in a competition. The oldest driver currently on the grid, Alonso has completed a record-breaking 355 races.
After his 2021 return after a two-year absence, Alonso said he battled to adapt the car to his preferences for the first five or six races at Alpine. He also stated that he would have just one and a half days to test in Bahrain before the season began on March 5.
“I am aware that I will not be entirely present in Bahrain, Jeddah, or maybe Australia, “said he.
Dan Fallows, technical director, said that 95% of the new vehicle was different from last year's and that by the conclusion of the campaign, it was expected to have undergone another two-thirds of changes.
The team, which placed seventh overall the previous year, has quadrupled its staff to more than 800 workers, according to Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose son Lance is teammates with Alonso.
He noted that the opening of a new facility in May will alter everything.
The owner said, “When I become enthusiastic about anything, I get quite passionate.” And I succeed when I'm really enthusiastic. The prospect of competing for global titles in the future excites us.
“We want to take a step this year, another one the next year, and so on until we are winning and eventually competing for global championships.”
