The impact Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin has on the F1 2023 driver market

The 2023 F1 driver market is taking shape with Aston Martin’s shock announcement that Fernando Alonso will replace Sebastian Vettel next year. With a number of seats still yet to be filled, how is it likely to play out?
Fernando Alonso (ESP), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest, Hungary,
Fernando Alonso (ESP), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand…

168澳洲5最新开奖ꦯ结果:Aston Martin’s Mon𓂃day morning announcement ca🗹me out of the blue as they revealed that two-time F1 champion Fernand🌺o Alonso will partner Lance Stroll for 2023.

A surprising decision on the surface but with Vettel’s retirement being announced ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin and Lawrence Stroll were always going to be kee🌟n to make a statement, and the signing of Alonso does that🧸.

You can argue that it’s a strange decision from Alonso given Alpine is currently 🥀fourth in the constructors’ championship and remains just one of four works teams on the grid alongside Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Lawrence Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team Investor with Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team on the
Lawrence Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team Investor with Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team…

However, Alonso remains at the peak of his powers and with Alpine understood to be only offering the Spaniard a one-year deal - potentially a stop-gap for Oscar Piastri - a multi-year contract ꦚwith Aston Martin was always going to be more appealing. 

Alonso’s move does have further repercussions🀅 on the driver market with several seats still up for grabs.

Alpine

Alonso’s switch to Aston Martin paves the way for reigning F2 champꦑion Piastri to make his debutꦜ with the French team in 2023.

After back-to-back title-winning campaigns, Piastri was forced to sit this year on th꧑e sidelines.&nbꦫsp;

Compared to the likes of George Russell and Charles Leclerc, who both won ꦗthe F2 and F3 title🎐s before making the jump to F1, Alpine are pinning their hopes on Piastri.

Oscar Piastri (AUS) Alpine F1 Team A522 Reserve Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal,
Oscar Piastri (AUS) Alpine F1 Team A522 Reserve Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9,…

In the short-term,ꦆ Alpine are taking a step backwards with their driver line-up as losing a dri♔ver of Alonso’s calibre will have an immediate impact in terms of competitiveness.

However, if Piastri lives up to expectations then Alpine have a superstar on their hands for many years to ꦗcome.

Williams

Piastri’s likely promotion removes one pote♓ntial candiꦍdate for Williams next year.

The Alpine junior has been constantly linked with a move to Williams for 2023. There were even suggestions that Piastri would replace N✱ichola⛎s Latifi mid-season due to the Canadian’s poor form.

ඣWilliams will need to look elsewhere as they search for a new teammate for Alex Albon, who hasn’t been formally confirmed yet.

Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing Academy Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone,
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing Academy Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10,…

Logan Sargeant, who’s part of Williams’ academy, is a pote🐓ntial option but will need to finish the F2 season strongly to obtain the required amount of super licence points.

Reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries is another potential candidate an🤡d was tipped to join the team before Albon got the drive.

Haas

Haa💙s are still yet to announce Kevin Magnussen’s teammate for 2023, but with Alonso’s move to Aston Martin now confirmed, Mick Schumacher’s future is clear.

The German was hotly-tipped to replace Vettel at Aston M𒉰artin, with the four-time champion even recommending him to owner Lawrence Stroll.

(L to R): Ralf Schumacher (GER) Sky Sport Presenter with Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas F1 Team on the grid. Formula 1 World
(L to R): Ralf Schumacher (GER) Sky Sport Presenter with Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas F1 Team on…

After a tough start to the year, Schumacher has found his feet with a couple of po🦋ints finishes and strong drives.

Schum💮acher remaining with Haas looks very likely now.

AlphaTauri

With a host of Red Bull juniors underperforming in F2, Yuki Tsunoda is expeℱcted to remain w🤡ith AlphaTauri for another season.

Tsunoda has shown signs of improvement in 2022, particularly in qualifying relative to teamma🦹te Pierre Gasly.

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest, Hungary,
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand Prix,…

The Japanese driver looks to be safe for now.

Alfa Romeo

It’s a similar story at Alfa Ro✤meo with Frederic Vasseur expressing his desire to keep Zhou Guanyu alongside Valtte🌼ri Bottas.

While Zhou’s points tally is minimal, his improved form coincided with Alfa Romeo’s downturn in performance relative to the🦹 midfield.

Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest, Hungary,
Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Hungarian Grand…

As of late, Zhou has been a close match fo🅰r Bottas, even out-qualifying him on three occasions (twice in the wet).

Sauber junior Theo Pourchaire hasn’t delivered this season, and even if he can topple Felipe Drugovich in the closing four rounds, a season on the sidelines 💯- like Piastri - seems likely.

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