Fernando Alonso explains reasons behind shock F1 transfer to Aston Martin from Alpine 2023

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has explained the thinking behind his shock move from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 season.

The 41-year-old has signed a multi-year deal with the Silverstone-based squad in order to replace the outgoing Sebastian Vettel, who announced last week that he will retire from the sport at the end of the current campaign.

Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 after a two-year sabbatical, and has delivered consistently impressive performances for the French outfit alongside team-mate Esteban Ocon. With the Spaniard’s contract due to expire before the new year, he had been expected to renew for at least one more season, and the announcement of his move to a team which currently has a significantly slower car has stunned fans.

For Alonso, the resources that billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll is pumping into Aston Martin is the major reason behind his transfer.

‘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 in an official statement. ‘I have known Lawrence and Lance for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed.’

Owner Stroll has splashed out on a new headquarters for Aston Martin, on a 400,000sq ft plot of a land which is due to open in 2023, while the team has also poached highly-rated technical staff from rivals, including Red Bull head of aerodynamics Dan Fallows.

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