Fernando Alonso Recalls Using Lawrence Stroll’s Lavish Resources to Train Despite Being Paid $31,000,000 by Ferrari in 2014

What would you do if you were being paid $31,000,000 a year to drive an F1 car? Probably buy a huge mansion and drive luxury cars right? Would you stay over at someone else’s place if you had a mansion of your own? Probably not, unless that someone is a friend or somebody close to you. Well, Fernando Alonso recently recalled the time when he utilized Lawrence Stroll’s place in 2014 to train despite being paid $31,000,000 by Ferrari. Does this mean Alonso and Lawrence Stroll were close back in 2014? 

Fernando Alonso probably made the move of his life when he decided to join Aston Martin in 2023. The Spaniard has scored 4 podiums in 5 races and is on a roll. Looks like Lawrence Stroll’s vision of challenging for a championship within 5 years is going to come true. With a state-of-the-art factory and a new wind tunnel coming online soon, things only look to be heading in the upward direction. Aston Martin also has a championship-winning, experienced driver in Fernando Alonso, who knows how to win a championship. 

Many believe that Lawrence Stroll hit the jackpot with Fernando Alonso, which is true. But it was a planned and calculated move. The Spaniard has known Lawrence Stroll for a very long time as he recalls the time when he stayed over at the Canadian’s place. Talking with the New York Times, Alonso explained how he trained for a week after the Canadian GP at Stroll’s place in 2014 during his Ferrari days. And that was not the only time they met and have been in contact ever since. 

According to nytimes.com, Fernando Alonso said “Fun to look back on now. I also remember in my last year with Ferrari in 2014, I stayed at Lawrence’s house in north Canada, after the race in Montreal. I was there training for a week. I’ve also visited Lawrence in Monaco on his yacht in the past, and we have had dinner, so we have this kind of relationship, and we have always been in contact.”

Read More: With Stunned Eyes on Podium Streak, Fernando Alonso’s Dynamic Traits Named as Key for Aston Martin Turnaround: “Exactly the Same”

Despite earning a hefty $31,000,000 in 2014 from his contract with Ferrari, Alonso’s decision to stay over at Stroll’s place only goes on to show the bond that the two have shared over time. And why coming over to Aston Martin made sense to Fernando Alonso despite him not knowing about the performance gains made by the team. 

Fernando Alonso on how his relationship with Lawrence Stroll made signing with Aston Martin a no brainer

Fernando Alonso while talking with the New York Times mentioned the time when Lawrence Stroll gave him a call last year to get him onboard. Although Alonso’s contract talks with Alpine were quite advanced, the Spaniard had not signed anything yet. The Canadian Entrepreneur sent over a contract to Alonso which he was happy with. Alonso explained how the decision was a no-brainer and that his long-lasting bind with Stroll helped in a quick transition.

According to nytimes.com, Fernando Alonso said “I received a phone call from Lawrence asking if I was already committed to Alpine. I said not yet. My conversations with Alpine were quite advanced, but I didn’t have anything on paper. He said if I send you something on paper today, you will consider it. He sent it, I was happy, and as I had nothing from the other side, it was an easy decision. Everything was quicker thanks to that relationship over the years.”

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What do you think about the bond shared by Lawrence Stroll and Fernando Alonso? Is this the reason why Alonso is being so nice recently?