Camila Vega
Fernando Alonso will be at Aston Martin from the 2023 Formula 1 season. He will join the team as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel. This was a surprise piece of news that was confirmed on Monday morning, August 1. Aston Martin says Alonso has signed a “multi-year agreement” to race for them.
The two-time world champion, who currently drives for Alpine and turned 41 last week, will take the place of his multiple title-winning teammate Sebastian Vettel after the German confirmed his retirement. Aston Martin, currently second in the standings, praised the signing as “a clear statement of intent” as they look to build a winning team.
Fernando Alonso Joins Aston Martin: The Statements
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 One 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 One.
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 One 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, and 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.
The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convince me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport. I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.
“I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me,” stated Lawrence Stroll. “I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organisation to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone.”
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.
It’s rare for any sporting transfer to come as a complete surprise these days, but that’s exactly what Aston Martin achieved with Alonso, who was barely a name of interest when Vettel confirmed his retirement in Hungary on Thursday.
The agreement, however, may be suitable for all parties. For Aston Martin, they have a similar established star to lead their F1 project and a driver who has arguably been in better shape than Vettel over the past two seasons despite his aging years.
Fernando Alonso’s Experience with Alpine
In 2021, Spaniard Fernando Alonso started the season with the Alpine team after having left the competition for two years. His last podium finish was in Qatar in 2021, where he got the third place. Apart from this, it has been difficult for him to overcome the 8th position in the GPs. On nine occasions, between 2021 and 2022, he has managed to surpass these positions.
On the other hand, his difficulties with Alpine have been largely related to the quality of the single-seater, as he has had many technical problems. His transfer to Aston Martin is promising because of the announcement of Aramco being the team’s new major sponsor. Thus, perhaps the driver who accumulates 98 podiums, may reach 100.
