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Aston Martin Signs Fernando Alonso for 2023, Beyond

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin beginning in 2023, it announced Aug. 1.

The news came a few days after the team’s current F1 veteran, Sebastian Vettel, announced his retirement following the 2022 season.

Alonso will replace the outgoing Vettel and team with Lance Stroll, who is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.

“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,” Alonso said in a team release. “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.

“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.”

Alonso also addressed in the statement his age; the Spaniard just turned 41 years old this past weekend and has turned more laps in F1 competition than any other driver in history.

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“I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learn, develop and succeed,” Alonso continued. “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.”

Alonso has not won in F1 since scoring his 32nd career victory in the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. His podium last year at the Qatar Grand Prix was his 98th and first since 2014. The Aston Martin team, formerly known as Force India and Racing Point, was acquired by Stroll in 2018 and was rebranded to Aston Martin in 2021 reflecting Stroll’s 16.7% stake in the legendary British automaker.

“I have witnessed the excitement in the engineering team and throughout the whole organization at the opportunity to work with Fernando,” team principal Mike Krack said. “We know that nearly everyone can learn from someone of Fernando’s caliber and experience.

“We are confident that he will inspire everyone to lift their game, and that will only enhance the already infectious energy that exists within the team. We are on a journey to create a winning organization, and it is clear that Fernando will accelerate our progress and bring us to a performance in which we can take pride.

“We are delighted to have Fernando and Lance as our driver line-up next year — the combination of experience and youth will be incredibly strong and both drivers look forward to competing and working together. The team has a new leadership focused on the development of AMR23, and we are all thrilled that they and our future projects will benefit from the knowledge and experience that Fernando will bring.”

The departure of Alonso from Alpine F1, the third such time it has happened for the French outfit formerly branded as parent company Renault, leaves a hole that many expect will be filled by 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri. Piastri currently serves as a test driver for Alpine and he has been linked to multiple seats for 2023 as a loan option for Alpine, with Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer saying in June that Piastri would be on the grid in some form in 2023.

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About the author

Michael has watched NASCAR for 20 years and regularly covered the sport from 2013-2021, and also formerly covered the SRX series from 2021-2023. He now covers the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and road course events in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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