Fernando Alonso will join “one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1” at Aston Martin in 2023.
On Monday, it was revealed the double world champion has signed a multi-year deal with the Silverstone-based outfit, replacing Sebastian Vettel, who announced his retirement last Thursday.
And in a statement, Alonso highlighted the huge investment Aston Martin is putting into their F1 project as one of the main factors behind his move from Alpine.
“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,” he said.
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“I have known Lawrence and Lance [Stroll] 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.”
A big question is whether, at 41, Alonso has time on his side as Aston Martin acknowledges their aspirations of wins and championships are still several years away.
“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 learning, developing and succeeding,” he continued.
“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 was rumoured to be Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll’s preferred choice to replace Vettel if the German opted to leave.
And the Canadian entrepreneur sees many similarities between himself and the Spaniard.
“I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me,” he said.
“I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organisation to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone.
“It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together.”