REPORT: Aston Martin negotiated with Alonso before Vettel retirement decision
Aston Martin's announcement that Fernando Alonso has signed a multi-year deal with the team has shaken the F1 world, as details emerge about the nature of this agreement.
Mike Krack - Aston Martin team principal - stressed on multiple occasions that Sebastian Vettel was the team's priority for 2023, and these statements remain true.
However, whilst the Silverstone-based team waited for clarification on Vettel's future, they began negotiations with Alonso.
According to AMuS, Alonso and Aston Martin have been in talks for a few weeks. As a result of these negotiations, Aston Martin asked Vettel for a decision on his future to clearly understand their direction for 2023.
Alonso has maintained throughout the year that Alpine is his preferred choice to sign a contract with, emphasising on several occasions that the French squad was his priority.
This hope would not become a reality for the Double World Champion, as it seems his request for a two-year extension was not compatible with Alpine's plans for Oscar Piastri.
Given that the Spaniard's contract with Aston Martin was signed halfway into the season, there were undoubtedly negotiations between Alonso and Alpine and some intent to continue their relationship.
The terms Alpine offered, however, were unacceptable to Alonso, whose quest for a multi-year deal and security in F1 seemed to be his biggest motivators in making this switch.
Alpine's development this year has been encouraging, and the Enstone squad is certainly a few steps ahead of Aston Martin. With that said, Aston has been investing significantly in their facilities in recent years.
It seems unlikely they will reach the heights Alonso hopes for, but time will tell if the Silverstone-based team can change the narrative of disappointment surrounding them and turn the page in 2023.