Aston Martin move for Alonso "logical and easy"

Ian Parkes
Monday 1 August 2022 10:05

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll claims it was a "logical and easy" decision to lure Fernando Alonso to the team following conversations with the two-time F1 champion.

Aston Martin and Alonso stunned F1 on Monday by announcing the 41-year-old has signed a multi-year contract with the Silverstone-based outfit, partnering Lance Stroll in 2023 as the Canadian has also been retained for next season.

It was anticipated Alonso would remain with Alpine following a relatively successful partnership with the French team over the past 18 months in the wake of his return to F1.

But Stroll has made a statement of intent by luring Alonso away from Alpine where the Spanish driver has proven he still has the talent and drive to again be successful.

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

"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.

"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.”

Alonso will prove inspiring at Aston Martin

Team principal Mike Krack has no doubt Alonso's arrival for next season will prove inspiring for the entire organisation as it seeks to forge its way to the front of the grid.

“I have witnessed the excitement in the engineering team and throughout the whole organisation at the opportunity to work with Fernando," said Krack.

"We know that nearly everyone can learn from someone of Fernando’s calibre and experience.

"We are confident that he will inspire everyone to lift their game, and that will only enhance the already infectious energy that exists within the team.

"We are on a journey to create a winning organisation, and it is clear that Fernando will accelerate our progress and bring us to a performance in which we can take pride.

"The team has a new leadership focused on the development of AMR23, and we are all thrilled they and our future projects will benefit from the knowledge and experience that Fernando will bring.”