Alonso will replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel and opens up a seat with Alpine which looks set to be taken by Oscar Piastri. Alonso said on Sunday after the Hungarian Grand Prix that he was confident his future would be sealed by the time F1 returned from its summer break at the end of August. But a swift completion of talks with Aston Martin now means he will jump ship and link up with the British team owned by Lawrence Stroll for 2023 and beyond. “This Aston Martin team clearly uses its energy and commitment to win, and as such is one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today,” Alonso said in a statement. “I have known Lawrence and Lance for many years and it is very clear that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula 1. I have watched as the team has consistently attracted great people with winning pedigrees and I have realized the huge commitment to new facilities and resources in Silverstone. “Nobody in Formula 1 today shows a greater vision and total commitment to victory, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me. I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the forefront and I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learning, growing and succeeding.” The news also comes less than 24 hours after Alpine F1 boss Otmar Szafnauer expressed confidence Alonso would remain at the team for 2023 and beyond, predicting talks would be “very straightforward”. Alpine had been trying to find a place for back-up driver Piastri for some time and appeared ready to loan him to Williams for next year. But Alonso’s departure now means Piastri looks set to step up and join Esteban Ocon at the team from 2023. Alonso will link up with Martin Whitmarsh at Aston Martin, with whom he teamed up at McLaren in 2007. At 41, it looks set to be one of Alonso’s last F1 moves, but the multi-year deal serves as a sign of his commitment to continue to struggle Stroll acquired the Aston Martin team in 2019 when it was known as Racing Point before renaming it under the British manufacturer’s name for 2021. A major investment drive is underway at the Silverstone facility, setting out a five-year plan to battle for world championships. The team currently sit ninth in the championship, but Alonso felt confident it was the right place to be if he wanted to win again in F1. “The passion and desire to play that I have seen convinces me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport,” Alonso said. “I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way.”
