Purple Bull’s motorsport guide, Helmut Marko admits that, for him, Fernando Alonso is the “shock of the 12 months”.
Definitely, the Spaniard has given quite a few wonderful performances this 12 months and seems as hungry as ever. Nonetheless, as has so typically been the case, controversy isn’t far-off.
Final week, simply days after insisting that remaining with Alpine was his “precedence”, the Spaniard introduced his transfer to Aston Martin for 2023, thereby kick-starting the Piastri/Ricciardo saga.
Controversy apart, Helmut Marko insists that the two-time world champion has been one of many true revelations of 2022.
“He is so quick, it is unbelievable what sort of races he delivers,” he tells the Osterreich. “For me he is the shock of the 12 months.”
Referring to the Spaniard’s resolution to affix Aston Martin – having seemingly made a profession out of fixing groups at precisely the flawed time, often leaving simply as they had been about to get pleasure from success – Marko admits: “The one query is whether or not Aston Martin can present him with the precise package deal.
“As a driver I even suppose he can nonetheless win races,” he provides.
In fact, Alonso is changing Sebastian Vettel, a protege of Marko’s who went on to win 4 titles with Purple Bull.
“Vettel’s meticulousness was an ideal match for our DNA,” says the Austrian. “The whole lot labored collectively completely.”
Nonetheless, Marko agrees with the German’s resolution to retire.
“He has different priorities,” he says. “He cannot even make it onto the rostrum together with his automobile, so it is logical that he is drawn the conclusion.
“When you do not put your coronary heart and soul into it you possibly can’t go on.”
