Million contract lures Spaniards away from fourth place in the World Cup
Alonso becomes Vettel’s successor at Aston Martin
After the departure of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin brought in double world champion Fernando Alonso. That can cost the racing team a lot.
Andrea Cattani und Roger Benoit
Fernando Alonso (since Friday 41) chose clear words during the week for the contract negotiations with Alpine: “After ten minutes I know,” said the two-time Formula 1 world champion. The announcement was clear. Either the racing team meets Alonso’s conditions, or the Spaniard is gone.
Now it is clear: Alpine was not able to convince the old master. Fernando Alonso will leave the team after this season and drive for Aston Martin instead. There he will Successor to Sebastian Vettel (35)who announced his resignation.
Alonso gambles on Aston Martin upswing
With the change, Alonso follows the call of money. This abounds at Aston Martin thanks to billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll (63). Alonso (98 podiums, 32 of them victories) could therefore be lured with a multi-year contract and a princely annual salary of around 15 million dollars.
For Alonso, the change to the green cars is a poker game. Alpine is fourth in the constructors’ championship after 13 of 22 races. Five places and a whopping 79 points ahead of Aston Martin. But the champion of 2005 and 2006 hopes that his soon-to-be employer will fly high. With the commitment of various Red Bull and Mercedes specialists, Aston Martin wants to finally catch up with the top teams from next winter.
A career end was never an option for the longest-serving driver in Formula 1 (replacing Kimi Raikkonen in Singapore with the 350th Grand Prix) in all the negotiations. “I have to continue, I have no family,” said Alonso after Vettel’s resignation. The Spaniard has now been divorced twice, but has been with the Austrian TV woman Andrea Schlager for a few months.
Finally room for Piastri
And Alpine? The British-French racing team is likely to start next season alongside Ocon with young talent Oscar Piastri. The 21-year-old Australian, previously for the Alpine Academy and as a reserve driver, has been pushing for a cockpit in Formula 1 for a long time. Compared to Alonso, it is also the significantly cheaper option.
The Alonso commitment at Aston Martin is bad news, especially for Mick Schumacher (23). For the German, the last door for a change away from Haas has probably been closed.