The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has announced that Fernando Alonso will join the team on a multi-year deal from the 2023 season onward.
The Spaniard takes over the seat that is being left vacant by Sebastian Vettel, after he announced his F1 retirement last week.
Alonso re-joined the sport with Alpine in 2021, having sat out two seasons following a difficult stint with McLaren.
The two-time F1 World Champion has scored one podium since his return to the sport, which came at last year’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Alonso’s move to Aston Martin paves the way for Alpine to promote its junior driver Oscar Piastri to a full-time seat for 2023 alongside Esteban Ocon.
“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 1 today,” Alonso said. “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. 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.”
Alonso will partner Lance Stroll at the Silverstone-based team. Stroll has raced for the squad since 2019, when it ran under the Racing Point guise.
After the opening half of the season, Aston Martin currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship.
