Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 world champion, may be the driving force behind Aston Martin’s resurgence in F1, but when it comes to perks like free cars or discounts, Alonso revealed that he doesn’t get any special treatment. Despite his prominent role in promoting the brand on and off the track, Alonso shared that Aston Martin doesn’t gift him any vehicles—he has to buy them like everyone else, and even then, there are no discounts.
Aston Martin, known for its luxury sports cars, has seen its brand value soar, thanks in part to Alonso’s star power as the team’s leading driver. The Spaniard frequently arrives at race weekends in an Aston Martin, but these cars, he confessed, are only lent to him for the season. Once the season ends, the cars are taken back.
In a light-hearted moment, Alonso shared his experience of trying to purchase one of the marque’s iconic cars, expecting a discount. Team owner Lawrence Stroll, however, firmly dismissed the idea, telling Alonso that “there are no discounts for anyone.” Despite this, Alonso purchased an Aston Martin Valkyrie last year, although he admitted that it recently broke down on the streets of Monza.
While Alonso’s car struggles off the track might bring a chuckle, his on-track performance has been far more serious. Since joining Aston Martin after Sebastian Vettel’s retirement, Alonso has been instrumental in pushing the team forward. However, despite a strong start to the 2024 season, Aston Martin has hit a slump in recent races. Alonso’s frustration was evident after the Italian Grand Prix, where he qualified just outside the points-paying positions and finished 11th, missing out on points by two-tenths of a second.
Alonso blamed the team’s poor race strategy for his lack of points at Monza, stating that they had initially made progress but fell back due to tactical decisions. Aston Martin now sits in a difficult position in the Constructors’ Championship, holding fifth place with a significant gap to the teams ahead and behind.
Despite the recent dip in form, Alonso remains a crucial figure for the team, both as a driver and a brand ambassador. But as his story about Aston Martin’s no-discount policy shows, even Formula 1 superstars sometimes have to pay full price for luxury.
