By Robert Haile

The Aston Martin Formula One team have announced the Fernando Alonso will be joining the team for the 2023 season.

The former two time world champion has joined on a multi-year contract from BWT Alpine who sit in fourth place of the constructors championship while Aston Martin are ninth.

Aston Martin have moved quickly after current driver and former four time world champion Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement before the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Alonso said: “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 One today.

“I have known Lawrence (Stroll) and Lance (Stroll) for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula One.

“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 One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.”

The move has come as a surprise not only due to the position of the teams in the constructors championship but that Alonso was performing better than teammate Esteban Ocon, although behind the Frenchman in the drivers championship.

The move might not be the step back that it may seem with the British luxury racing brand investing heavily in their base at Silverstone.

Lawrence Stroll said: “I have known and admired Fernando (Alonso) for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me.

“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, and 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.”

Aston Martin have a confirmed driver pairing for 2023 with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso turning out in green.

Eyes will now be on BWT Alpine to see who they turn to will it be youth and reserve driver Oscar Piastri or will they bring in a more experienced driver?