Aston Martin have been warned that their new driver Fernando Alonso could "split the team in the middle" if the Spaniard becomes unhappy with how things are going.
It was announced on Monday that Alonso will leave Alpine this winter to join his newest employers. He will take the place of fellow veteran Sebastian Vettel, who will retire at the end of the season.
The announcement came as a surprise, as the general belief had been that the two-time world champion would continue his association with Alpine. But Alonso, 41, is clearly keen on a fresh challenge in the twilight of his Formula 1 career.
Aston Martin have secured one of the best and most respected racers of the modern era. But as well as a lot of talent and a wealth of experience, Alonso also brings with him some baggage that could make things uncomfortable, according to his old Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa.
Asked by Sky Sports' Any Driven Monday what the team will get from their newest recruit, Massa replied: "For me he is an amazing driver. He is talented, very intelligent in his driving and he understands how to be quick in qualifying – he is one of the quickest drivers.
"But he is also very consistent in the race. He understands how to manage the tyres in the right way and to speak with the team. The problem he has is that he splits the team in the middle a little bit. I never had any problem working or talking with him, but he always managed to put everything on his side and split the team a little bit in the middle.
"If he has a competitive car he definitely can help the team, but if he doesn't then he can be a problem by splitting the team in the middle. He could even decide to fight with the team. But as a driver, definitely one of the best in the history of Formula 1."
Alonso does have a history of strained relationships with team-mates. His rivalry with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren remains infamous to this day, while in the past he has also had to deny rifts with the likes of Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella and even current Alpine partner Esteban Ocon.
He may have to be careful, though, considering at Aston Martin he will be in a position he has not experienced before. Team-mate Lance Stroll is the son of the team's billionaire owner, and so will have to watch what he does.
