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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 21: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 21, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 21: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 21, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Anticipation is at an all-time high for the Belgian Grand Prix. However, Fernando Alonso has decided to add to the excitement, hinting at something big coming up tomorrow.
Alonso took to Twitter to post something that at first looked like gibberish. Many considered the return of the ‘foo’ hacker, but soon, Esteban Ocon replied to the tweet in the same coded language.
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I mtb lsu pkmecoyt evpl hdzx sue lpnx yzj’zr enydcagiyv agvatvpg ewln 😉
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) August 25, 2021
The internet, however, was quick to decipher the coded conversation. Turns out the Spaniard used the Vigenere cipher to relay the top-secret to the fans.
ALO: BIG news coming soon. And to tease you all, I’m tweeting this in code!!!!
OCON: I bet you everyone will work out what you’re announcing straight away
ALO: Let’s see, let’s see. They’ve got 24 hours to work it out!
Vigenere Cipher. You're welcome #F1
— Elliot Horwood #44 (@ElliotHorwoodF1) August 25, 2021
As the countdown is underway, what could be the big announcement, and why are we talking in code?
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What is Fernando Alonso hiding?
It is ‘silly season’ in F1; could it be a contract extension for El Matador? Esteban Ocon tweeted nothing about an announcement; he signed a three-year contract with Alpine in June. Additionally, Alonso’s return to Alpine has been stupendous. He’s made his presence known on the track, but will it be something e see for couple more seasons?
While the important news could be anything, the internet seems to agree with the idea of seeing Alonso in the blue car for longer. His current contract has the option of a year’s extension. Hence, the probability of it being a contract announcement seems high. Alpine tweeted:
🔍We have a KEY role to play here 🔎 https://t.co/mEF1zVsXcy
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) August 25, 2021
But why put it in code? Alonso didn’t have to be literally cryptic about the announcement if it was related to his contract. And what’s the “KEY” role Alpine plays? Let’s experiment with the idea a bit.
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Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Styria, Austria – June 25, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during practice REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
It could be the announcement of a new sponsorship for the driver or even a special Alpine livery for the Belgian GP? The possibilities are endless. Although, a new livery would be nice to see and the sponsorship could explain the excessive coded language.
Fernando Alonso promised 24 hours, so we wait in anticipation of what the next big thing at Alpine could plan for. As much as sponsorships and liveries are exciting, nothing beats the possibility of having Alonso on the track with the new F1 car.
Watch this story: Top 5 Williams F1 Liveries of All-Time
