Fernando Alonso made a cutting remark about his old Alpine team after he was irked by former team-mate Esteban Ocon in practice for the Miami Grand Prix.
The Spaniard was not on the best of terms with Alpine as he departed at the end of last season. And the same could be said of Alonso and Ocon, after a collision in the Brazil Sprint after which the double world champion declared he could not wait to leave.
Alonso is a much happier soul these days, with new employers Aston Martin flying high. He has already endeared himself to the staff with his performances behind the wheel, securing a podium finish in each of the first three races of the season.
But a sign of the old Alonso came out during practice on Friday. He was clearly unimpressed with Ocon's driving when he came across the Frenchman while on a flying lap and did not hesitate to throw some shade over the radio.
"Alpines, they fight in the free practice," he told his race engineer, who replied: "You were on a flying lap and Ocon didn't get out of the way. Alonso added sarcastically: "Yeah, copy. But the free practice is their moment, so... it's good."
While Aston Martin have made a huge performance jump, Alpine have not quite lived up to their pre-season confidence yet. Both Ocon and Pierre Gasly failed to score a single point in each of the last two races, not helped by more reliability woes which plagued Alonso's time with the Enstone team.
Now free of those frustrations and enjoying life with a very competitive car at his disposal, the 41-year-old has a different aura around him these days. He is getting on very well with new team-mate Lance Stroll – even giving the Canadian some mid-race setup tips last time out in Baku.
"What we both felt here in the past, also in the strategy meeting, what we will do, what will be the plan for each of the cars and things like that," he told reporters in Miami about that gesture. "So if we feel something in the car during the race that we didn't speak about, and there is something new that can help the other car, normally we communicate with the team.
"I know that I will be in the sport for a few more years, but not many, and he will lead the team for the next 10 or 15 years. So I hope I can help Lance as much as I can in the next few years."
