When Vettel made his decision, Aston Martin moved quickly.
#Bbc news world service front page driver#
The word in F1 is that there had been a hitch in negotiations between Alpine and Alonso over the length of his contract, with the driver wanting a firm two-year deal and the team preferring an option clause after next season.Īston Martin wanted Vettel to stay and had offered him a contract for next season, but they had also had informal exploratory chats with Alonso in case the four-time champion wanted to stop. In a statement Alpine said: "Fernando has always been, and always will be, part of the Renault and Alpine family and we're proud and privileged to have shared so many on-track moments together." Rossi added: "Fernando is a legend of the sport, but also a legend of the Renault group. The move has come as a surprise within F1 - and is a blow to Alpine, where Alonso has been outperforming team-mate Estasban Ocon this season, although he is behind the Frenchman in the championship as a result of a series of reliability problems.Īlpine chief executive officer Laurent Rossi said at the French Grand Prix 10 days ago that the team were "discussing with we are building scenarios for him". "I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me." "We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance. "I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed.
![bbc news world service front page bbc news world service front page](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/17D4B/production/_96511679_sun.jpg)
"No-one in F1 today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.
![bbc news world service front page bbc news world service front page](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/7095/production/_105712882_index-pic.jpg)
"Aston Martin is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in F1 today. "I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front," Alonso said. Alonso, F1 champion in 20, returned to the sport in 2021 after a two-year hiatus racing elsewhere.