Fernando Alonso reveals how Aston Martin kingpin Lawrence Stroll swayed him away from Alpine F1

Fernando Alonso was one of the biggest movers in the 2022 F1 driver market, as he left Alpine to join Aston Martin owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. Alonso signed the deal midway through the season, as Stroll swayed the two-time champion to replace the retiring four-time champion, Sebastian Vettel.

In the summer of 2022, Alonso's negotiations with Alpine were not yet formalized when Stroll learned about the situation and quickly offered a deal. The Spaniard was initially hesitant to sign the deal but was buoyed by the lofty goals and vision of the team owner.

In an interview with New York Times, Fernando Alonso disclosed that his long-time relationship with Lawrence Stroll also influenced his decision last summer.

"I received a phone call from Lawrence asking if I was already committed to Alpine. I said not yet. My conversations with Alpine were quite advanced, but I didn’t have anything on paper.

"He said if I send you something on paper today, you will consider it. He sent it. I was happy, and as I had nothing from the other side, it was an easy decision. Everything was quicker thanks to that relationship over the years."

Fernando Alonso's relationship with the Strolls extends back to the time when he drove for Ferrari in the early 2010s. At the same time, 12-year-old Lance Stroll was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Alonso's friendship with the Canadian family strengthened over the years, turning into a professional partnership in 2023.

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Fernando Alonso has spearheaded Aston Martin's rise to the front with his performances. In his first five races with the Silverstone outfit, Alonso has stood on the podium four times and currently stands third in the drivers' standings.

The two-time world champion's F1 comeback finally seems to bear the desired results.

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Fernando Alonso outlines his goals before retiring from F1

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso's last F1 title came in 2006 with Renault. Since then, the Spaniard has chased the elusive third title, coming close on multiple occasions.

The 41-year-old revealed that winning the third title is still the ultimate dream, as he hopes to leave a mark on the sport.

"Winning a championship would be a perfect thing. If I win another championship all these years since my previous one, that would be unprecedented, that kind of distance between two championships. That is my goal at the moment.

"Or the legacy that I want to leave in this sport, of someone who loves it so much that I kept racing for many years, keeping the level as high as possible. That would prove a point, something that was a part of my comeback."

Considering Aston Martin's current trajectory, a chance for a title fight is in the offing for Alonso.