Fernando Alonso signs to Aston Martin for 2023 on multi-year contract

Aston Martin have moved swiftly to announce a replacement for Sebastian Vettel, swapping one world champion for another with Fernando Alonso agreeing to join the team in 2023 on a multi-year deal.

Alonso returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with Alpine after a two-year sabbatical and has delivered a string of impressive drives alongside Esteban Ocon.

But when Vettel announced last Thursday that he was retiring at the end of the season, Alonso emerged as a favourite to replace him given his wealth of F1 experience that includes two World Championships.

Sebastian Vettel to retire from F1 at the end of the 2022 season

On Monday, after he secured his eighth consecutive points finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix and as F1’s summer break began, Aston Martin revealed the Spaniard had signed on the dotted line in what they said was “a clear statement of intent from an organisation that has committed to developing a winning F1 team”.

“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,” said Alonso, who scored the last of 32 race wins back in 2013.

“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. 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.

Owner Lawrence Stroll said: “I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me. 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.