Alonso rubbishes 'sad' claims of collusion over driver market moves

Fernando Alonso trashed recent claims in the media that himself, Flavio Briatore and Mark Webber had colluded to disrupt Alpine's driver line-up for 2023.

The rumble in the grapevine started with Aston Martin's stunning announcement at the start of F1's summer break of Alonso's move to Lawrence Stroll's team for 2023 as Sebastian Vettel's replacement.

The news was followed two days later by a public release from Alpine promoting reserve driver Oscar Piastri to a race seat for next year.

But the young Aussie quickly rebuffed his current employer's announcement, stating in no uncertain terms that he had not signed with Alpine for 2023 and that he would not be racing with the French outfit next season, having allegedly signed with McLaren as Daniel Ricciardo's replacement.

Immediately, a conspiracy theory started circulating, pointing out that the common denominator between Alonso and Piastri's manager Mark Webber was Briatore, who once oversaw the Aussie's career in F1 and who remains in charge to this day of Alonso's interests.

Had the trio come together to conspire and fulfill their interests to the detriment of Alpine, a team once managed by Briatore until his eviction from F1 following the infamous Singapore Grand Prix 'Crashgate' episode in 2008?

"Not at all," fired back Alonso in Spa. "I read that in the first days and honestly it was quite sad and annoying to read that conspiracy, because I made this decision.

"For some months, I had been chatting with the team about extending the contract [with Alpine], but nothing officially arrived and nothing officially happened, and Aston called me after Sebastian retired.

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"If Sebastian had continued, this would probably not have happened, the move to Aston.

"There were very clear and very easy decisions from my side, and what happened after and what is happening with Oscar, is completely not my thing."

Alonso spoke highly of Piastri, whose 2023 F1 future looks set to be decided in the coming week by the FIA's Contract Recognition Board. But the two-time world champion also praised Alpine.

"Oscar is an incredible talent for any team, for Alpine," said Alonso.

"I've been working with him for now two years, and I wish him the best and also the best for Alpine, because it's going to be my team this year, but it's going to be my team always in my heart, because we achieved things that were unthinkable when we started the relationship.

"I came back to the sport also thanks to Alpine, so I only wish the best for them, and those comments that I read were sad to read."

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