Fernando Alonso has praised a “very smart” Lance Stroll for not targeting him, unlike previous Alpine Formula 1 team-mate Esteban Ocon.
The former double World Champion, who scored his fourth podium of 2023 in Miami, departed Alpine after an acrimonious year in 2022 that involved several on-track clashes with Ocon.
Having made the surprise decision to join Aston Martin for 2023, Alonso’s switch has coincided with the Silverstone side becoming a regular front-running threat.
Aston Martin’s stunning early performance has it sitting second in the Constructors’ standings, with its rise being aided by the strong working relationship between Alonso and Stroll.
“We had this goal in the team which we spoke about,” Alonso told Sky Sports F1. “I remember the day before the launch of the car in February in the factory.
“What was the goal of the team with [team principal] Mike Krack and [chief executive] Martin Whitmarsh?
“I think we all agree that we need to play this kind of game – you know if you want to be the opposition, we are fighting against very big teams, Ferrari, Mercedes and our strength is to score points with both cars.”
The two-time World Champion has been credited for the support he has displayed to Stroll, calling the Canadian a “hero” after his sixth-place finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix while still recovering from his pre-season cycling accident.
Stroll was heard telling his engineers over the radio in Azerbaijan that he wouldn’t attack Alonso, with the Spaniard later telling his crew to pass on technical advice to his less experienced partner about his brake balance settings.
When asked why he was prepared to help Stroll, Alonso said: “Yes, I tried to help Lance but we cannot forget that also he’s very smart.
“And he’s a driver that I think as a teammate, as we saw in Baku, we spoke about maybe saving tyres, we didn’t know exactly in a sprint format, how long the tyres will last… we were saving tyres and he said, ‘I will not attack Fernando.’
“Last year I had like maybe the opposite. Always, you know, my teammate, like the first target was me. So that was obviously not beneficial for the team. So, I think Lance is playing also a part in this relationship.”
Alonso boldly claimed that he expects Stroll to lead Aston Martin for “the next 10 to 15 years”, and that he wants “to help Lance as much as I can while I’m driving”.
The 41-year-old has out-qualified and finished ahead of Stroll at each of the opening five races this season. However, Alonso remains adamant that Stroll has what it takes to become a team leader in the future.
“Right now maybe I’m more prepared to fight for the championship because I’ve been in this position and fighting with top, top cars and at the front,” Alonso said.
“But as I said, you know I will drive for few more years not, not many and I think Lance will drive for many more. If I can help, I will be happy.”
Alonso also commented on the healthy relationship he holds with Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll.
“I think we’ve known each other for now, for 12 years, when Lance was just a kid in karting and yeah, I think I like him.
“I like this this way of, you know, having no limits. I think Lawrence has a leadership (style) that I think is quite contagious and everyone in the team is believing what he thinks.
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