Alonso talks about his perfect lap

Fernando Alonso has moved from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 F1 season, and his new team has already capitalized on the two-time F1 champion's star power with a video featuring Alonso at the wheel of the Aston Martin DBX707 SUV

Alonso is also the first driver to win a Formula 1 championship.

Alonso philosophizes about the perfect lap, stating that computers can predict limits, but a driver's instincts can exceed them. However, in his narration of a mock test session at an unnamed circuit, Alonso admits that the perfect lap is "always out of reach."

The Spaniard's handling of the DBX707 is dramatic, but hardly the work of a driver aiming for a perfect lap. Some of the sliding is less than orderly, and the grass is a bit mowed. Still, it's impressive to see a double F1 champion hustle this SUV around the track.

Targeted at the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, the DBX707 is an upgraded version of the regular DBX, boasting more power, a stiffer chassis, and bigger brakes. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine produces 697 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque, up 155 hp and 147 lb-ft from the regular DBX. All-wheel drive remains standard, but the 707 uses a 9-speed automatic with torque converter instead of the regular DBX's 9-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The would-be Alonso can use this new transmission to make racing-style launches at 4,000 rpm, allowing the DBX 707 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 mph. Aston Martin has also considered taking the DBX707 to the Nürburgring to challenge the Cayenne lap record. The new record would be a good way for Aston to celebrate its 110th anniversary this year.

Alonso joins the Aston Martin F1 team this year to replace Sebastian Vettel, who retires at the end of the 2022 season. He will team up with Lance Stroll, son of team owner and current Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll, and will look to improve on his ninth-place finish in points with Alpine last year. Alonso won the championship in 2005 and 2006 with Alpine in France, which was then part of Renault.