Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is set to drive for Aston Martin from 2023 on a multi-year deal. Alonso, F1 champion in 2005 and 2006, returned to the sport in 2021 after a two-year hiatus racing elsewhere. “I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front,” Alonso said. “Aston Martin clearly use their energy and commitment to win and are therefore one of the most exciting teams in F1 today. “Nobody in F1 today shows a greater vision and total commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me. “I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learning, growing and succeeding. “We all appreciate that there is a lot to be done to get to the front and that we must use all our strengths to work together to find performance. “I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way.” The move came as a surprise within F1 – and is a blow to Alpine, where Alonso has outscored team-mate Estasban Ocon this season, although he is behind the Frenchman in the championship as a result of a series of reliability issues. Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi said at the French Grand Prix 10 days ago that the team was “talking to [Alonso]; we build scenarios for him”. Rossi added: “Fernando is a legend of the sport, but also a legend of the Renault group. For us, he is the champion.” In a statement Alpine said: “Fernando has always been and always will be part of the Renault and Alpine family and we are proud and privileged to have shared so many moments on the track together.” Word in F1 is that there has been trouble in negotiations between Alpine and Alonso over the length of his contract, with the driver wanting a fixed two-year deal and the team preferring an option clause after next season. Aston Martin wanted Vettel to stay and had offered him a contract for next season, but they also held informal exploratory talks with Alonso in case the four-time champion wanted to stop. When Vettel made his decision, Aston Martin moved quickly. Chances are Alonso has signed a two or three year deal with options after each year giving him more certainty than Alpine offered him. On the face of it, the move is a step backwards in terms of performance for Alonso, with Alpine well ahead of Aston Martin this season. But Alonso’s confidence will ensure he can add significant performance to the car, and he has noted the team’s string of hires of late, including the hiring of former Red Bull aerodynamics chief Dan Fallows as technical director. Next year’s car will have Fallows’ fingerprints on it as he joined the team earlier this year in time to fuel development. Aston is also building a state-of-the-art new factory at its Silverstone base. The design and competition team will move on to its first stage by spring next year, before two other buildings, including a wind tunnel, go live later. Aston Martin team owner and executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said: “I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organization to succeed in this highly competitive sport and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone. “It seemed natural to invite Fernando to join us in developing a winning team and we very quickly found in our recent discussions that we have the same ambitions and values and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together. .” Team principal Mike Krack said: “I’ve seen the excitement in the engineering team and across the organization for the opportunity to work with Fernando. We know almost everyone can learn from someone of Fernando’s caliber and experience. We’re confident that will inspire everyone to raise their game. “We are on a journey to build a winning organization and it is clear that Fernando will accelerate our progress and lead us to a performance we can be proud of.” Alonso’s teammate in 2023 will be Stroll’s son Lance.
