Bombshell in the transfer market : despite the fact that the renewal of Alonso and Alpine seemed well underway, the Spaniard has made the decision to sign for Aston Martin Racing for the 2023 season with a multi-year contract.
Just a few days after Vettel announced his retirement and a gap was opened in the British team, and just on the first day of vacation after the last race before the break, Fernando Alonso already has his future in Formula 1 assured, although it will finally be green and not blue.
Aston Martin will be Alonso’s sixth team in the top flight, following spells at Minardi , Renault (twice), McLaren (twice), Ferrari and Alpine .
Alonso had said this Sunday after the Hungarian Grand Prix that he was confident his future would be assured when F1 returned from the summer break at the end of August. In fact Alpine said that everything would be closed for the Belgian GP, and both driver and team agreed that the negotiations could be closed “in 10 minutes”.
However, by surprise, Alonso joins the project of billionaire Lawrence Stroll for 2023 and the following seasons.
“This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the necessary energy and commitment to win and is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today,” Alonso said in the statement announcing the signing.
“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. I have seen how the team has consistently managed to attract great people with winning pedigrees, and I have noticed the great commitment to the new facilities and resources at Silverstone.
“No one in Formula 1 today is showing 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, and I want to be part of it. an organization committed to learning, developing and succeeding.
Lawrence Stroll bought the Aston Martin team in 2019 when they were racing under the Racing Point name, and from 2021 the team adopted the name and traditional British green.
Aston Martin is making a significant investment in the Silverstone facility, and a five-year plan to fight for world championships has been established.
The team currently sits ninth in the constructors’ championship, penultimate, but Alonso is confident it is the right place to be if he wants to win again in F1.
“The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convinces me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport,” said Alonso.
“I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that seem right to me.”
Alonso’s decision leaves a hole in Alpine for its young driver Oscar Piastri. The 2021 F2 champion had hoped to arrive on loan to Williams, but in recent times his junior Logan Sargeant has won integers for the British team.
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