12 February 2023 , 08:32
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Fernando Alonso has urged his new Aston Martin team to use their "ingenuity" in order to launch an unlikely title challenge in 2023.
Owner George Stroll has made no secret of his ambition to compete with the best in F1, and in late 2021 announced a new team headquarters and wind tunnel would be built with the aim of achieving that goal. Alonso will drive alongside his son Lance, who he this week labelled as a "possible world champion."
At 41 though, the Spaniard still clearly has the desire himself to become a three-time champion, leaving Alpine at the end of last season amid discontent over the performance of his car and nature of his short-term contract. And he clearly thinks that innovative thinking will be key if he and Stroll Jnr are to be up near the top end of the grid this season.
“We have to use our ingenuity and be creative in everything we do,” Alonso said, via “You have to reinvent yourself every season, every race, to try to outperform your competitors – this is the biggest challenge for any F1 team.
“It starts with an idea. But when will it be possible? What do you need to do to make it possible? This is what you have to keep asking yourself. This is what you have to keep working towards."
Lance Stroll says he's a "better driver" ahead of Fernando Alonso F1 team-up
But the Spaniard, whose two world titles back with Renault in 2005 and 2005, believes his new team have the ingredients to compete: "We have the talent in this team. When we go racing, we need to execute every race to perfection – to maximise the results from the ingenuity that has gone into the car.”
Alonso won the World Championship back in 2005 and 2006 (GETTY)The 2022 campaign saw the introduction of brand new F1 regulations, designed to make racing more competitive and bring the likes of Aston Martin into contention on race weekends. However, what transpired was an extremely one sided-season, with Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominating as the Dutchman finished 146 points clear in the drivers' standings.
Alonso was ninth with 81 points, with the man he's replaced at Aston Martin, Sebastian Vettel, 12th with 37 points. Stroll was three places further back on just 15.
The former Renault and McLaren man's new two year contract will also help him extend his record of most F1 Grand Prix's. He's currently on an unprecedented 358, five clear of the retired Kimi Raikkonen.