Alonso in no hurry: negotiations with Alpine only after summer break

Fernando Alonso seems to be giving Alpine enough reason to extend his contract at the moment, but negotiations are far from a done deal. Alonso and team boss Otmar Szafnauer told us at Motorsport.com.

Alpine has already secured a driver in Esteban Ocon until 2024, but the other seat will theoretically become available. Alonso's contract is due to expire and, as the fifth team on the grid, there will be more interest in that spot. Oscar Piastri is also eyeing the seat, but the Alpine Academy pupil will probably have to prove himself in a smaller team first.

With Piastri needing a step up and Alonso showing every week why Alpine should keep him, a new contract seems like a matter of time. Yet that is not the case. The Spaniard told British media that negotiations with Alpine have not started yet. He is more focused on his current performance.

Szafnauer confirmed this observation of Alonso and is also not yet busy with the question if Alonso should stay. However, his performance speaks volumes. After a lot of bad luck in the early part of 2022, Alonso is starting to act more and more like the leader of the team. In Canada, he achieved second place in qualifying and in England, he finished fifth in the race. Talks are expected to take place after the summer break.