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ALONSO JUMPS TO ASTON MARTIN FOLLOWING VETTEL RETIREMENT

By Timothy Neal

Aston Martin has wasted no time in replacing Sebastian Vettel, by signing another former world champion in the form of the incomparably experienced Fernando Alonso for a multi-year contract in 2023.

After returning to F1 from a racing sabbatical, Alonso spent two years delivering strong results in the developing team alongside Esteban Ocon.

Alonso has been in great form, delivering points for Alpine on eight consecutive occasions, his most recent at last nights Hungarian Grand Prix where he finished in P8.

Speculation was abound when Vettel announced his retirement last Thursday, and the move was sure to cause a shuffling of drivers seats, but few would have suspected it to begin this early.

“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 the former world champion.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Stroll Snr was always slated to go after a big name, as his want to drive Aston Martin forward needs a wise head for Lance to develop alongside.

“I have known and admired Fernando for many years, and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me,” said the owner Stroll.

“It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be apart 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.”

The question now is, does the young Aussie star Oscar Piastri segue straight into the Alpine team for next year?

With all the talk surrounding where he might be headed, and other teams stating their interest in the F2 and F3 champion, Alpine may move quick to confirm his appointment.

Nonetheless, it has already be guaranteed that we will see him in the seat of this years model Alpine at a practice in either Belgium or Italy.

Should that happen, his free practice drive will now attract the attention of the Formula 1 public with bated interest and breath, more so that it already would have done.

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