Fernando Alonso was out on track today in Jerez, driving last year’s Aston Martin AMR22 testing Pirelli tyres, and again declared his intentions to win with his new team.
The Spanish veteran, keen to maximise his move to Lawrence Stroll’s team, clearly believes in track mileage as part of his preparations for his 20th season in Formula 1. Alonso is familiar with the AMR22 which he tested last year, at the end of the season, in Abu Dhabi.
Testing, testing…@alo_oficial is piloting the AMR22 in Jerez today for tyre testing ahead of the 2023 #F1 season. pic.twitter.com/2d4PNHIw1a
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) February 7, 2023
Speaking in a Twitter video released by the team: “Days like these in Jerez are very important for me as they help prepare me for Bahrain. I always try to give my best, I don’t let myself be demotivated and I have to be sure to give 100%.
“I feel ready for the next challenge. This is a very important opportunity for me, I see this as a winning project,” declared the Spaniard who has, over the years, driven for Minardi, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and most recently Alpine, aka Renault.
Teammate Lance Stroll is also on duty, alternating with Alonso during the course of sampling the 2024 Pirelli rubber. Mercedes are also at Jerez, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton set to share time in the W13 over the next two days of running.
At this test in Jerez, unconfirmed reports suggest Pirelli are using the runs for the final analysis of the 2023 tyres they will provide for the season ahead, as well as work on next year’s rubber.
Aston Martin will launch the AMR23 on Monday, 13 February.