Alpine 's chief revealed he learned about Fernando Alonso's impending departure through a press release and the team had been confident they would re-sign him for the 2023 season.
The Spaniard will join Aston Martin to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel. News of his multi-year deal with the team shocked most people in the Formula 1 world, including Alpine chief Otmar Szafnauer who learned about it at the same time as fans.
The Enstone-based outfit had been under the impression they would keep Alonso for at least another season. And Szafnauer revealed to Autosport that the racer himself had even told him that he had not signed anything with another team.
