Fernando Alonso set to join Aston Martin in 2023

The two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso is set to drive for Aston Martin from 2023 in which has been set to be a multi-year contract. Alonso who has raced for rival team Alpine since 2021, will replace Sebastian Vettel following the announcement of his retirement at the end of this season earlier last week.

The 41-year-old Spaniards move has come as a surprise within the F1 paddock and comes as a hard blow for Alpine in which Alonso has been outperforming his team-mate Esteban Ocon this season. On paper, this move could seem like a step backwards for Alonso in terms of performance and team progression, as Alpine are well ahead of Aston Martin this season in the constructor's championship battle. However, Alonso's wealth of knowledge and lengthy experience within F1 will certainly assure his self-confidence that he can add significant performance to the team and to the car. 

On the surface, this shock move looks like it has resolved potential complications for Alpine and the future of their reserve driver Oscar Pastri, with him surely now becoming red-hot favourite to succeed Alonso next season. However, news of Alonso's move might have wider-reaching consequences for the rest of the grid's driver line-ups for next season. Prior to this shock announcement, there was a mixture of vacancies and possible vaccines across the grids. Aston Martin clearly had one following Vettle's retirement announcement. Alpine technically now have one. Williams potentially has one or two seats available depending on Alex Albon's and Nicholas Latifi's future at the team. Haas also has a seat available for next season, as well as McLaren potentially having a seat, all being subject to whether Daniel Ricciardo stands by his public declaration of continuing for 2023. 

Aston Martin's team principal Mike Krack said "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" 

Aston Martins driver pairing for next season will see Lance Stroll maintain his seat alongside new teammate Fernando Alonso.