Alpine concede major Fernando Alonso 'mistake' after driver chaos

Renault boss Luca de Meo has conceded Alpine made "a mistake" in letting Fernando Alonso join Aston Martin for 2023.

Alonso left 'Team Enstone' at the end of the 2022 season to replace the retiring four-time F1 champion after Alpine failed to offer the contract terms he wanted.

Alpine wanted to sign Alonso to a year-long renewal before effectively granting junior protégé Oscar Piastri the race seat for 2024.

However, Alonso's defection to Aston the day after the 2022 Hungarian GP blindsided the team, who then tried to promote Piastri to partner Esteban Ocon. 

Piastri then issued his famous tweet saying he would not be driving for Alpine, having signed his McLaren contract the day after the British GP.

A tug of war then developed between the two teams, concluding with the FIA's Contract Recognition Board's decision, revealed by RacingNews365 at the time.

Reflecting shortly after Alpine axed Jack Doohan for Franco Colapinto for its fifth different driver line-up since 2021, Renault chief de Meo conceded the mistake.

"He's an incredible guy, and he left us at Alpine due to a mistake on our part," de Meo explained at the launch of his new book and as quoted by CarAndDriver.

"Maybe we didn't treat him the way we should have, but we still have a very good relationship. 

"I respect him a lot, he is a great champion, a guy with drive.

"There are very few who have Fernando's determination. He is a great driver, especially when you have a car [that can compete].

"I hope he succeeds with Aston Martin, because he deserves it."