Fernando Alonso will join Aston Martin in 2023

Aston Martin have officially announced that Fernando Alonso will join the team in 2023. This means that the Spanish driver will depart Alpine at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

The Silverstone-based team made the announcement via their official Twitter account, taking Formula 1 fans by surprise on Monday.

"Aston Martin is delighted to confirm that Fernando Alonso will join the team in 2023 on a multi-year contract," their statement started.

"The whole company is very excited to bring Fernando's incredible experience and brilliant pace and racecraft to the team.

"The recruitment of a special talent such as Fernando is a clear statement of intent from an organisation that has committed to developing a winning Formula 1 team."

Fernando Alonso also had his say on this news, expressing his delight at joining this new project.

"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," Alonso said.

"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."

Alonso was open to options

Following the news of Sebastian Vettel's retirement, MARCA asked Alonso if there was a possibility for him to be the German driver's successor.

"All teams that don't have their two drivers signed for 2023 are an option," said Alonso.

Now, just a few days later, Alonso has secured his future in Formula 1. It comes after a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix in which he expressed his frustration with Alpine.

Aston Martin will be Alonso's sixth team since 2001, following spells at Minardi, Renault (twice), McLaren (twice), Ferrari and Alpine.