Alonso to join Aston Martin for 2023 in surprise F1 move

F1

Aston Martin has announced Fernando Alonso will join from next season in a "multi-year" deal at the Silverstone team

Fernando Alonso portrait

Alonso is on his way to Aston

Grand Prix Photo

Author

James Elson

Aston Martin has announced double F1 champion Fernando Alonso will join the team on a “multi-year” deal from 2023.

Alonso, who was expected by many to stay with Alpine, said he was happy to be joining “one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today.”

As a result, Alpine will likely bring in the highly-rated 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri, who has been the team’s reserve driver, into its race team for next season.

Aston Martin, which sits ninth in the current constructors’ standings, expressed its excitement at bring in the 32-time grand prix winner.

“The whole company is very excited to bring Fernando’s incredible experience and brilliant pace and racecraft to the team,” it said.

“The recruitment of a special talent such as Fernando is a clear statement of intent from an organisation that has committed to developing a winning Formula 1 team.”

2022 Hungarian GP Lance Stroll Daniel Ricciardo

Aston has mainly struggled in the midfield over the past two seasons

DPPI

Aston’s vacancy was opened up after Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from F1 last week.

The German joined with the promise of a fresh project with manufacturer backing, but decided after two seasons he no longer had the desire to help the team fight its way to the top.

In contrast Alonso apparently still relishes the mid-grid scrap, whilst maintaining that he still has what it takes to become world-champion once more.

Since returning with Alpine from in 2021 after a two-year sabbatical from F1, the Spaniard has shown himself to still be capable of fighting at the top level of F1.

He pulled off a brilliant defensive display at last year’s Hungarian GP, crucially delaying Lewis Hamilton, who was hunting down Esteban Ocon in the lead – Alonso’s Alpine team-mate ultimately went on to take the team’s first win in nine years.

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It was thought the Spaniard was pushing for more than a one-year contract extension at Enstone, bringing rumours of Aston Martin into the equation, whilst the Silverstone squad was thought to want an experienced team-mate for Lance Stroll.

Alonso has now got his wish and is confirmed in a multi-year tenure at the team.

“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,” he said.

“I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone.

“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 have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me,” added team owner Lawrence Stroll.

“It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together.”

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