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Aston Martin was concerned that the intensity of Formula One’s 24-race calendar would lead Fernando Alonso to retire rather than sign a contract extension of at least two more years, team principal Mike Krack said on Thursday.
The 42-year-old two-time world champion, whose new contract was announced last week, has been instrumental in the British-based team’s rise up the grid after Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll took over in 2018.
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“When you see how [Alonso] works, when he’s there, how he interacts, you see that it’s only 100 percent. When he says there’s no life around him, it’s true,” Krack said.
“Given that, I had some considerations that he would say, ‘You know?I need to do anything else with my life,’ and I’m very pleased to see that he loves Formula 1 more than his personal life at the moment. “
Alonso left Alpine for Aston Martin for the 2023 season and scored six podiums for his new team.
Aiming to aim for at least one more world championship before retiring, Alonso is calling for the race for a seat at Mercedes for 2025, following the departure of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari or champion Red Bull.
Krack attributed Alonso’s decision to stay at Aston Martin to his confidence in the project, as the team has an exclusive contract for Honda engines from 2026.
“I think what we have here is [Alonso’s] desire, his absolute fan base and even rage to win,” Krack said. “Something a lot of drivers don’t have at this level of their careers. “
Alonso’s decision to remain at Aston Martin reduces the possibilities available to those looking for a driver for 2025, with Stroll’s son Lance the Spaniard being his teammate.
“Aston Martin is Lance’s home, we know that, and the whole task has revolved around him,” Krack said of Lance Stroll’s future.
“We’re looking for continuity. I’ve said it’s very important. “
Alonso praised his team-mate ahead of Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix for being “more delicate with things. . . which is very good for the team” in terms of the set-up of the car.
“I think the research that Lance can do and that he can pass on to the team is very important for us and for the car,” he added.