Ralf Schumacher wonders if 22-pole driver has ‘lost his interest’ in F1 after what he’s seen lately

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Excitement is building about the future of Aston Martin in Formula 1 after the team acquired the services of Adrian Newey.

The 65-year-old will join the Silverstone-based team after the first quarter of 2025, with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll paying Newey £30 million a year.

The legendary engineer has brought success to the likes of Williams, McLaren and Red Bull in what has been an incredible career. Newey will be under pressure at Aston Martin to deliver the results his track record proves to bring.

With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as their drivers, Aston Martin enjoyed a brilliant 2023 season with the former scoring eight podiums and finishing fourth in the standings.

However, the team have fallen well behind the top four teams in 2024. Newey will provide a much-needed boost for Aston Martin as they prepare to welcome Honda to the team as their power unit supplier for the 2026 regulations.

Ralf Schumacher questions if Fernando Alonso has ‘lost his interest’ in Formula 1

Speaking with Formel1.de, Ralf Schumacher cast doubt over Alonso about his future in F1.

The Spaniard signed a new multi-year deal with Aston Martin this year to take him until at least 2026. It is widely expected that the 43-year-old’s latest deal will be his final contract before he retires.

The Silverstone team are making huge strides off the track with Lawrence Stroll bringing serious investment in his effort to win the championship. But according to Schumacher, Alonso has ‘lost his interest’ in F1 and no longer has the ability to challenge for the top.

He said: “If he wants to become world champion then of course he also has to have two top drivers, and I do not want to offend his son, he has certainly become good now.

“But you still have to ask the question of how good Fernando Alonso is, that is also a question to be honest. If you look at the last races now, you can say that Lance has gotten better, or that Fernando has also lost his interest a bit.

“At the moment, you do not know for sure.”

Fernando Alonso has been unhappy with Aston Martin’s performance this season

Alonso has not been happy with Aston Martin’s performance this year, as the Spaniard has only finished in the top four once all season so far.

Even Martin Brundle has noticed how unhappy Alonso has been as the team look nowhere near the top four in terms of performance as they sit fifth in the constructors’ standings, 218 points behind Mercedes.

However, when Aston Martin has been able to perform, Alonso has displayed some brilliant results. In 2023, he finished in the top five 11 times and recorded his best championship finish since 2013.

Even this season, Alonso has scored more than double the points of Stroll heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. As Newey’s arrival nears, Aston Martin will be on everyone’s mind in the months to come.