Following the announcement from Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel earlier last week on his retirement after the 2022 season, the English team has now confirmed that two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will be taking his place on a multi-year deal from 2023 onwards.
Talks of the 41-year-old driver retiring have long been passing through the paddock, but the Alpine driver is showing no interest in leaving the sport, especially after his return following a season out of Formula 1 in 2020. Having previously won two world championships with Renault back in 2005 and 2006, the Spanish racer lost out on a contract two years ago when his second stint with McLaren ended in less than ideal terms, with the team refusing to renew his contract. With Renault rebranding to Alpine in 2021, Alonso was signed on once again and will continue racing for the French team alongside teammate Esteban Ocon until the end of the current season.
“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 statement. “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.”
BREAKING: Fernando Alonso will join Aston Martin from 2023 on a multi-year contract #F1 pic.twitter.com/dfwktaMk6F
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2022
NEWS: @AstonMartinF1 announces Fernando Alonso for 2023.
We are delighted to confirm that two-time #F1 World Champion @alo_oficial will join the team from next season on a multi-year contract.
Tap below to read more. ⬇️#WeClimbTogether
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) August 1, 2022
In other related news, Max Verstappen recovered from P10 to win the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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