The British racing team announced the change of the now 41-year-old world champion from 2005 and 2006 on Monday. Alonso got a contract for several years, it was said. The Spaniard is still driving for the French Alpine team this season, Vettel is retiring.
“Bang in Formula 1,” wrote the Spanish sports newspaper “Marca”. “No one in the paddock expected that,” said “As”. So Alonso is far from finished. “I still have the hunger and ambition to fight at the top,” said the Spaniard. More than two decades ago, in March 2001, he celebrated his debut in the premier class of motorsport. After a year at Minardi, he went to Renault. With the French manufacturer he beat Michael Schumacher in Ferrari in 2005 and 2006. The move to McLaren followed.
There Alonso made a poisoned team fight with the then newcomer Lewis Hamilton, profited Kimi Raikkonen, who won the 2007 Ferrari World Cup. Alonso returned to Renault after just one season, before moving to Ferrari in 2010.
But it was Vettel’s heyday in the Red Bull, Alonso lost the title fight year after year. In 2010, 2012 and 2013 he was Vice World Champion. From 2015, Alonso’s hopes of returning to the World Cup throne were not fulfilled even during his second McLaren time. After a two-year break from Formula 1, he returned to Renault’s successor Alpine in 2021. The 32-time Grand Prix winner is currently tenth in the World Championship. He is still considered one of the fastest and most talented pilots in the field.
Alonso will drive alongside Lance Stroll, son of team co-owner Lawrence Stroll. Aston Martin was considered a possible alternative for Mick Schumacher, whose contract with Haas is expiring. At Alpine, the 21-year-old Australian Oscar Piastri should have the best chance of taking the vacant cockpit.
Source: Nachrichten
