KEY POINTS

  • Fernando Alonso finished ninth in F1 2022 with 81 points
  • He faced five retirements this season
  • Alonso has replaced retired Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin

Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso says he is "ready to deliver something special" when he joins Aston Martin next season.

Alonso, who raced for Alpine F1 Team in the last two seasons, has replaced retired Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin ahead of the 2023 season.

The veteran F1 driver from Spain is now hoping to use his rich experience to deliver results for Aston Martin, which finished seventh in the Constructors Championship this year.

"I believe when I can make differences when it comes to crucial moments of the races or experiences. We all have high talent driving cars fast; it is more about the head and how you control a few things," Alonso said in an interview.

Alonso last won a race in 2013 and was out of F1 in 2019 and 2020. Yet, he believes the last two years at Alpine have brought back his old form. With 81 points, Alonso finished 10th in the Drivers' Championship in F1 2021, and in the recently-concluded campaign, he once again clinched 81 points and managed to finish ninth in the title race.

"The last few races [of the season], like Mexico or Austin or Brazil, I think I am closer to the level of 2012 or 2010 or whatever than last year when I was not in control of everything. Last year I was not 100% confident with the car or my comeback. It was OK, the season, but this year I am much more up to speed and much more proud of how it has been," the 41-year-old driver explained.

Alonso failed to finish his final race with Alpine at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he faced retirement, and one could see it as a supposed apt conclusion to his career with the F1 team. Alonso was forced to retire in five races this season, costing him at least 50 to 60 points.

Fernando Alonso of Spain and Renault Sport F1
Fernando Alonso won two F1 titles during his stint with Renault Getty Images | Bryn Lennon

However, the former McLaren star said his position in the championship had "zero" relevance to him.

"It matters what I feel inside. And even if I score good points and finish OK in the standings, I maybe didn't have the best feeling. This year even if don't score any points I know I am switching to next year and a new project knowing I am 100% into the sport again," Alonso added.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched the F1 drivers' title this season – his second straight championship.