Currently third in the standings, Fernando Alonso admits that he had serious misgivings about Aston Martin's potential before signing on the dotted line.

The Spaniard opted to leave Alpine last summer as part of the saga that saw McLaren poach Oscar Piastri from the French team in favour of Daniel Ricciardo.

Seeking a multi-year extension to his contract, Alonso was unhappy that the French team - with which, under its original guise, he had won his two titles - was dithering in terms of negotiating a new deal and even then only extending it for one year.

Though there was a vacancy at Aston Martin as Sebastian Vettel had announced his retirement, having slipped to 7th in the team standings Alonso wasn't overly convinced.

However, Lawrence Stroll managed to change that.

"I don't trust, you know, 100% everything that the teams tell you in August," Alonso told Sky Sports. "However, I think once Lawrence has a goal, he will get it.

"He will succeed eventually, you know," he continued. "It may take two, five or seven years, but he will get it.

"Flavio was quite keen on the Aston Martin project," he admitted, referring to his manager Flavio Briatore. "I think he saw the investment, he saw the vision of Lawrence, obviously he is a very important leader we have in the team.

"I think we've known each other for now twelve years. I liked his way of having no limits. I think Lawrence has a leadership that I think is quite contagious and everyone in the team is believing what he thinks. With a Formula 1 team, you need to have this kind of boss, one voice that sets the direction."

Of course, Alonso has baggage, yet while his on track determination and ability was never in doubt, the F1 paddock has been surprised by his teamwork this year, in particular his mentoring of teammate Lance Stroll. In Azerbaijan, the Spaniard shared mid-race brake balance advice with the youngster, while during the Miami event he congratulated him on an overtake which he had witnessed on a trackside screen.

"I like this team and also my role in the team," he said, "I'm aware of my role... that's perfectly fine, and I accept it.

"I'm at the end of my career. I expect Lance will lead the team for the next ten or fifteen years, and I want to help the team, and I want to help Lance as much as I can while I'm driving."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by intrepid, 14/05/2023 14:58

"I love what Lawrence Stroll is doing, especially signing Fernando, so much so that I've acquired a fair number of shares of Aston-Martin-Lagonda World Holdings. That I believe are ferociously inexpensive vs their potential. Besides, it's great fun owning even a tiny piece of a Formula 1 team. And the production Astons thrown into the bargain!"

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 11/05/2023 14:00

"@Max Noble - You don't like the DBX? I have had one on loan a couple of times and it's great. Maybe 3 weeks I had it in total.

Most comfortable driver's seat I have ever sat in. Handling and sound are amazing, hold a ton of stuff. Panoramic roof is great. The back could use a little more detail. "

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3. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 11/05/2023 13:57

"For $300 one can by 100 shares of AML. Not a ton to gamble with."

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 11/05/2023 9:19

"@BrightonCorgi - about the same time people realise a rear wheel drive car with the engine placed with weight behind the rear axle is a daft idea… (the 911 for those readers needing a prompt…). I’ve a massive soft spot for AM. Their road cars (as you’ve commented in other threads) are simply mobile works of art (DBX aside). A good friend extended his mortgage a few years ago to import a Vanquish from the UK to Australia. Nearly cost him his marriage but every single time he saw the car and climbed in it… well he nearly cried… It was stunning.

Yet… the “entry level” V8 Ferrari, and the “how much!?” 911 “limited” edition command the dollars… which drives the share price. I’m sure we can blame US rappers for not screaming about Astons and using them endlessly in alarming music videos… Sigh…"

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5. Posted by trackrecords, 10/05/2023 23:42

"@ BrightonCorgi

"When will the podiums increase AML stock price?"

Over the last 18 months AML's price has been hurtling up and down more than kids let loose in a bouncy castle. The UK Stock Market is a law - or lack of it - to itself. The Williams/JYS involvement didn't stop my RBS shares losing 92% of their value, sadly..."

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6. Posted by Chester, 10/05/2023 16:05

"If an old codger like me can learn new tricks, so can Alonso. I too feared for him leaving Alpine for Aston Martin and have been delighted with how AM has jumped to the top.

Lawrence Stroll is someone. I am deeply impressed- and believe he is the driver behind the dramatic improvement at AM."

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7. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 10/05/2023 15:40

"When will the podiums increase AML stock price?"

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8. Posted by Devonlad, 10/05/2023 13:09

"This can't be the Alonso we knew - Netflix must be doing a remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers"

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Alonso admits to Aston Martin misgivings

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