'Disappointed' Alonso looking forward to 2023's Aston Martin challenge

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said he was "disappointed" for himself and Alpine's fans after being forced into a mechanical retirement in Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Spaniard, in his last race for the Anglo-French team before joining Aston Martin as successor to retiring four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, was fighting for a points finish until halted by a suspected water leak.

It was his seventh enforced retirement of the season.

"I'm disappointed, for sure," he said. "I mean millions of people are disappointed now - our fans too. It's the way it is.

"It's been a very unlucky season in terms of... well, not unlucky, I think we were not prepared reliability-wise and I think it's the sixth or seventh DNF. But a couple of races don't count as a DNF.

"In Australia, we had a problem in qualifying, in Austria, the car didn't start the sprint race... and some other races that we were not ready to compete.

"It's a little bit sad to finish like that, but it's the way it is."

LAP 28/58Alonso pulls into the pits and is out of the race after suffering reliability issues ?A hugely frustrating end to his time with Alpine ??#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/7pUclbsnsQ

A new chapter

Alonso is set to test for Aston Martin in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

"That's the best thing today," he added. "Tomorrow, starting with this project, with a seat fit, meeting a few people, then on Tuesday testing the car, will be hopefully a good chapter.

"All the bad luck of this year, hopefully, compensates next year!"

Despite his exit, Alpine successfully finished fourth in the constructors' championship behind Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes, as Esteban Ocon was seventh behind McLaren's Lando Norris.

Alonso will be replaced at