Fernando Alonso ends Mercedes discuss as he extends Aston Martin deal

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Fernando Alonso ends Mercedes discuss as he extends Aston Martin deal

Fernando Alonso will stay with Aston Martin past this season after signing a brand new “multi-year” cope with the British-based Formulation One crew. Double world champion Alonso, 42, had been linked with Mercedes and Crimson Bull – as attainable replacements for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen respectively.

Nevertheless, Aston Martin introduced on Thursday that the Spanish driver, whose present deal had been on account of expire on the finish of the yr, has agreed a contract extension.

“I’m right here to remain,” stated Alonso by way of an Aston Martin press launch. The crew didn’t specify the precise size of the brand new deal.

The crew principal, Mike Krack, stated: “Securing Fernando’s long-term future with Aston Martin is improbable information. Now we have constructed a powerful working relationship during the last 18 months and we share the identical dedication to see this mission succeed.

“Now we have been in fixed dialogue over the previous couple of months and Fernando has been true to his phrase: when he determined he needed to proceed racing, he talked to us first. Fernando has proven he believes in us, and we imagine in him. Fernando is hungry for fulfillment, driving higher than ever, is fitter than ever, and is totally devoted to creating Aston Martin a aggressive drive.

“This multi-year settlement with Fernando takes us into 2026 after we start our works energy unit partnership with Honda. We stay up for creating extra unbelievable recollections and reaching additional success collectively.”

Alonso, who has gained 32 F1 races, will this season grow to be the primary driver to participate in 400 grands prix. Each Mercedes, looking for a alternative for the Ferrari-bound Hamilton, and Crimson Bull – with Verstappen stated to be unsettled on the scandal-hit Crimson Bull crew – had been monitoring Alonso’s subsequent transfer.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard will enter into not less than a 3rd season with Aston Martin, with the crew’s bold proprietor, Lawrence Stroll, decided to show the Silverstone-based crew into championship contenders.

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Alonso took the final of his two world titles in 2006, and has not gained a race in additional than a decade. But he’s nonetheless thought-about as one of many stars of the F1 discipline, and final yr helped to rework Aston Martin from also-rans to frontrunners. He took eight podiums and completed fourth within the drivers’ championship.

After the opening 4 rounds of the present marketing campaign, Alonso is eighth within the standings with a season’s greatest end of fifth in Saudi Arabia.


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