The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix was an understated launch for the new Formula 1 season with Alonso's masterful drive masking some worrying trends for the season ahead.
Indeed, the veteran Spaniard delivered on the promise that Aston Martin demonstrated throughout pre-season testing and the weekend's practice sessions, delivering a podium on his debut for the Silverstone-based outfit.
Out front, however, it was a familiar tale. Max Verstappen was in cruise control from lights out to chequered flag as he delivered a dominant victory with teammate Sergio Perez sealing a Red Bull 1-2.
With the opening round of the season out of the way, the F1 paddock will look ahead to a weekend in Jeddah. Here are the learnings from the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
A four-way title fight? Don't hold your breath.
When Q2 came to an end on Saturday with the top seven finishers separated by less than five-tenths, most fans watching from home were giddy at the thought of a four-way title battle.
Within five laps of the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix though, all of those hopes had been whisked out of the window.
Most importantly, Red Bull's 2023 challenger, the RB19, looks as imperious as its predecessor with Verstappen and Perez at ease at the front of the field. It was a familiar sight as Verstappen crossed the line in a league of his own.
Given the Dutchman's pace advantage over teammate Perez and the relative struggles of Ferrari and Mercedes, Verstappen already looks on course for a third successive WDC title.
Great news for Verstappen fans, but not so much for any neutral hoping for an intense championship fight in 2023.
The disruptors have arrived
There's something about this Silverstone-based team that lends itself to the role of the disruptor.
As Force India, the team regularly punched above their weight to fight for podiums, and after the Racing Point rebrand the team produced the RP20, one of the most infamous F1 cars of the past decade.
The transition to Aston Martin hasn't been as smooth as fans of the team would have hoped and a turbulent start to the 2022 F1 season dragged up fears that Lawrence Stroll may be questioning his massive investment in the team.
But with a state-of-the-art factory on the way and an incredible winter transformation complete, Aston Martin emerged from the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend as the second fastest car and made their mark as potentially the next big hitters in the sport.
Alonso's glee was evident throughout as the battled his way to a debut podium in the British racing green, and a sixth-place finish for a still-injured Lance Stroll offers hope that the Canadian will finally make the next step in 2023.
Reasons for optimism at Williams
One team who will be delighted with their Bahrain Grand Prix weekend is Williams.
The past four seasons have offered little respite for one of F1's most decorated and adored teams, but an impressive weekend at the Sakhir International Circuit offers reasons for optimism in the Williams camp.
Speaking after the race, Alex Albon revealed how impressed he was with the progress his team had made throughout the weekend with the 26-year-old Brit crossing the line in 10th place to take the final point on offer.
Even more promising for Williams was the debut performance of Logan Sargeant.
The Floridian had his doubters heading into his maiden F1 race weekend, but the 22-year-old American enjoyed a strong opening lap and finished best of the rookies in 12th place.
There are no guarantees that the pace Williams displayed at the Bahrain Grand Prix will translate across a 23-race season, but the Grove-based team are certainly in the midfield mix this year.
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