Quebecer Lance Stroll will have a double world champion as a teammate next season. Veteran Fernando Alonso has indeed decided to continue his career at Aston Martin.
The 41-year-old Spaniard will replace Sebastian Vettel, who announced last week that he will retire at the end of the current season. Alonso’s contract with Alpine ends this season. Aston Martin has announced that it has signed a multi-season deal.
“Nobody in Formula 1 today shows greater vision and a total commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me,” Alonso said of Aston Martin. I am always hungry and ambitious to fight to be at the forefront, and I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learning, growing and succeeding. »
Alonso will be in his 20th season in F1. He won his world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. He took a break from F1 in 2019 and 2020 to focus on other series, including the Indianapolis 500.
Enthusiasm
“I’ve seen the enthusiasm of the engineering team and the whole organization at the opportunity to work with Fernando,” said Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack. We know almost anyone can learn from someone of Fernando’s caliber and experience. We are confident that it will inspire everyone to become better. »
Aston Martin, whose other driver is Lance Stroll, son of owner Lawrence Stroll, currently sits ninth out of 10 teams in the constructors’ championship.
Alonso said he knew Lance and his father well, and they shared the same “ambition and passion to succeed” in F1.
“We all appreciate that there is a lot to do to move forward and that we must apply all our energies to working together to find the performance, continued Alonso. The passion and desire to perform that I witnessed convinced me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport. I intend to win again in this sport and so I have to take the opportunities that are right for me. »
The Alpine team has progressed in recent seasons and claims fourth place in the constructors’ standings. Alonso sits 10th in the drivers’ championship. He joined Alpine in 2021 after his two-year break from F1.