Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will replace retiring legend Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin for the 2023 season.
Vettel, who won four successive world titles between 2010 and 2013 with Red Bull, announced he would retire at the end of the current 2022 season ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 35-year-old cited his role as a parent and a husband as his chief reasons for walking away from motor racing, as well as his keen interest in striving to combat climate change.
As a result, the German left a vacancy at Aston Martin and the British outfit have moved for another racing icon in Alonso. The Spaniard will join up with Aston Martin once the season ends, leaving Alpine after two years.
Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine last season after a two-year absence from the sport. His contract was due for renewal at the end of the season, and with rumours regarding the future of Oscar Piastri clouding his future, Alonso has jumped ship to Aston Martin.
“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,” the 41-year-old said. “I have known [owner Lawrence Stroll] and [driver Lance Stroll] 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.”
Alonso has impressed since returning to the grid and even clinched a podium at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix. The Spaniard has reportedly joined Aston Martin ‘on a multi-year contract’.
Team owner Lawrence Stroll moved quickly to secure the services of Alonso after Vettel told the team of his decision to retire last week. Alonso will drive alongside Lance Stroll, who has been with them since 2019.
The Canadian’s father, Lawrence, has invested heavily in Aston Martin as he looks to make them perennial contenders. He is building a huge extension to their factory in Silverstone, and Alonso is undoubtedly impressed by the investment and commitment shown.
“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,” Alonso added. “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.
Do you think Aston Martin made the right decision by replacing Sebastian Vettel with Fernando Alonso? Let us know in the comments section.
“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.
Asked about the acquisition of Alonso, Stroll made little effort to hide his excitement. He said: “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.”
The 22-race F1 2022 campaign continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on August 28 after the four-week summer break.
