Fernando Alonso to remain in F1 with Alpine for 2022 season

Alonso verlengt contract bij Alpine — Photo: © LAT Images

Fernando Alonso

Alonso to remain in F1 with Alpine for 2022 season

Two-time champion has agreed to deal extension

Ian Parkes

Thursday 26 August 2021 10:09 Updated: 11:31

Fernando Alonso is to remain in Formula 1 for the 2022 season after extending his contract with Alpine.

Alonso had originally agreed to a one-year deal plus the possibility of a further one-year contract should both parties be happy with one another.

Upon agreeing to remain with Alpinel, Alonso said: “I’m very happy to confirm the contract extension with Alpine into 2022.

"I felt at home the moment I returned to this team and have been welcomed back with open arms.

"It is a pleasure to work again with some of the brightest minds in our sport at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon.

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"It’s been a tricky season for everyone, but we’ve shown progress as a team and the result in Hungary serves as a good example of this progression.

"We’re targeting more positive memories for the rest of this season but also crucially from next year onwards with the new regulation changes coming into Formula 1.

"I have been a big supporter of the need for a level playing field and change in the sport and the 2022 season will be a great opportunity for that.

"I am looking forward to the rest of this year and racing alongside Esteban in 2022 for Alpine.”

Following a tricky start to his return after a two-year sabbatical, Alonso has delivered a string of consistent performances, culminating in his fourth-place finish in the last race in Hungary.

Team-mate Esteban Ocon took advantage of the incidents that unfolded at the first corner at the Hungaroring to go on and claim the race victory.

The points haul has propelled Alpine into fifth place in the constructors' standings.

Alonso's drivers overall, however, have drawn plaudits from many of his peers.

With the 40-year-old now confirmed for next season, CEO Laurent Rossi said: "We are very pleased to confirm Fernando for next season, partnering with Esteban.

"For us, it is a perfect driver line-up, amongst the strongest on the grid. It works in a hugely complementary way, with both offering raw talent and speed, yet impeccable team spirit that delivered our first win in Hungary.

"Fernando has impressed us all since he returned to the sport at the beginning of this year. His dedication, teamwork and focus to extract the maximum from the team is incredible to be a part of and certainly special to witness.

"His performance in Hungary was another example of his racing pedigree and reminded everyone how skilled a driver he is

"I am convinced we can benefit strongly from Fernando’s insight and experience as we enter the final development and optimisation phase of the 2022 chassis and power unit.

"He is just as hungry as we are for success and is putting in every effort to translate it to performance.

"For now, however, we need to focus on delivering a strong second half of the year, extract the maximum at every race and ensure we finish as high up in the constructors’ standings as possible.

"This will put us in a golden position for next year and the significant opportunity it brings."