Why Alonso signed for Aston Martin? 'They stole many great people'

Former Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore is currently Fernando Alonso's proud manager. It was the Italian who encouraged Alonso to drive for Aston Martin, he himself tells Italian Il Riformista.

It was a shock in the paddock. After the announced retirement of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, it was none other than Fernando Alonso who would take over his seat at businessman Lawrence Stroll's Aston Martin. Where everyone expected him to sign a new commitment with Alpine, the Spaniard sought his fortune elsewhere. It was his manager, Briatore, who convinced him to take the plunge. After all, the British racing stable was not competitive.

"Then they raided the number two personnel of Red Bull and Mercedes, and are investing heavily in technology and the factory," says the Italian businessman, who also has a past as team boss of Renault. "That is why I pushed Fernando to join Aston Martin, which is now in second [in the championship] after five Grands Prix." He is making the right choice, after all, the French at Alpine are not doing too well.

The manager knows that a world title is not in the cards for now. "If nothing unexpected happens, the championship is already decided," Briatore is referring to the supreme Red Bull. "But at some circuits like Monaco, a big surprise is always possible," he looks ahead hopefully.