In a bold move shifting from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 season, Fernando Alonso reaped the rewards of his decision, steering a competitive car that saw him clinch an impressive six podium finishes within the initial eight races.

His switch led to a total of eight podium berths, landing him fourth in the drivers’ championship, tied on points with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and trailing only Verstappen and Perez in podium visits. Follow your favourite F1 team with attractive F1 betting odds from Nextbet. 

Despite securing fewer second places than Lando Norris, Alonso firmly believes his team’s progress throughout the season warranted a race win, identifying Monaco as the closest call due to a missed opportunity on the twisty street circuit, courtesy of Verstappen’s remarkable final sector.

Recalling Monaco’s near-miss, Alonso highlighted a contentious pit stop decision during the race, depriving him of a chance to edge ahead of Verstappen.

Expressing his sentiments, Alonso remarked, “I think it was possible. Probably Monaco was the closest… And I believe that we deserved it more than anyone else this year.”

While Aston Martin’s competitiveness fluctuated, especially towards the season’s end, Alonso remains optimistic, emphasizing the positives despite McLaren’s resurgence overshadowing Aston Martin’s performance post-summer break.

Acknowledging the team’s loss of form and subsequent slip to fifth place behind McLaren, Alonso remains upbeat about Aston Martin’s progress, admitting that they are yet to reach the top echelon of competitiveness.

Reflecting on their journey, Alonso noted, “We started really strong…maybe even to us the step from last year to this year was a surprise… Fighting with Mercedes, Ferrari, top teams that they are used to fighting at that level.”

Despite the late-season challenges, Alonso remains steadfast in his belief in Aston Martin’s progress, reminiscing about the unlikely scenario a year prior, underscoring the remarkable journey the team undertook during the 2023 campaign. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.