Martin Brundle believes that there could be "fireworks" when Fernando Alonso joins Aston Martin in 2023. It was announced one day after the Hungarian Grand Prix that Alonso had signed a multi-year contract with the British squad, replacing Sebastian Vettel who will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. Vettel's news was shared via a video on his new Instagram account just days before the race. "The timing of his video retirement declaration made even more sense when Fernando Alonso was surprisingly announced as taking his seat on Monday morning," Brundle wrote in his column for Sky Sports .
Brundle gives his take on Alonso's exit from Alpine
Alonso will make the move to Aston Martin following two seasons with Alpine, who he made his return to F1 with in 2021 after his two-year hiatus from the sport. Brundle has given his take on why the Spaniard may have elected to leave his current team. "It appears that Alpine couldn't or wouldn't offer Alonso a two-year deal, and his Aston Martin deal is officially described as multi-year," Brundle added. "He's also been fairly underwhelmed at how punchy his teammate Esteban Ocon has been towards him in combat at Alpine rather than turning all their guns on their rivals." Alonso had appeared unhappy with Ocon's driving at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and also radioed the team to say he was the faster driver in an attempt to orchestrate a tactical switch in positions. However, he later insisted that it was "not too big of a deal" .
Alonso is a "force of nature", says Brundle
Brundle is expecting Alonso to push Aston Martin hard when he arrives at the British squad, where he will become teammates with Lance Stroll, son of the outfit's Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll. "Fernando is a force of nature on and off the track and he will push the team very hard," the former F1 driver said. "He's mellowed a little these days but there could easily be fireworks as he joins the Stroll family 'firm'. "I remember interviewing Fernando on the 2018 Abu Dhabi grid and he was very convincing that it really was the end of his F1 career, but now he'll be on the grid until at least the end of 2024 at the age of 43 and with 400 F1 races under his right foot. Extraordinary."
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