Formula 1: Aston Martin has signed Alpine’s Fernando Alonso and revealed that the Spaniard will join the Silverstone-based team on a multi-year contract starting from 2023, the next F1 season. This comes after the veteran Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement just before the Hungarian GP. Follow Formula 1 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
After signing for Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso said, “This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is, therefore, one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today.”
“I have known Lawrence and Lance for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula 1. Even I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees. I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone,” Alonso added.
BREAKING: Fernando Alonso will join Aston Martin from 2023 on a multi-year contract #F1 pic.twitter.com/dfwktaMk6F
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2022
“No one in Formula 1 today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me. I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front. I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed. We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance,” Alonso further added.
The Spaniard will take control over the seat that is by and large left empty by Sebastian Vettel after he declared his F1 retirement last week. Alonso re-joined the sport with Alpine in 2021, having passed on two seasons following a troublesome spell with McLaren.
The two-time F1 World Champion has scored only one podium finish since his return to the sport, which came at last year’s Qatar Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Alonso’s move to Aston Martin makes way for Alpine to advance its junior driver Oscar Piastri to a full-time seat for 2023 alongside Esteban Ocon.
Alonso will accomplice Lance Stroll at the Silverstone-based group. Stroll has raced for the team starting around 2019 when it ran under the Racing Point appearance. After the first half of the season, Aston Martin presently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship.
