Former Spanish F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa believes Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin is motivated by his competitive spirit, not money; the copatriot reveals Alonso’s plans. 

Fernando Alonso announced last week that he would leave the Alpine F1 team at the end of the 2022 season to join Aston Martin as part of a multi-year deal with the British manufacturer’s team and as a direct replacement for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who will retire at the end of the year. Alonso’s decision to join Aston Martin came as a surprise to many in the paddock, especially as the British team’s current performance is lagging behind that of the French team.

Pedro de la Rosa believes that his compatriot Fernando Alonso’s surprising decision to join Aston Martin is evidence of his belief that the team is on an upward trend, but that the two-time world champion’s decision is not motivated by financial gain.

Lawrence Stroll has indeed invested significant sums in the Aston Martin project and De la Rosa believes Alonso has made this choice based on confidence in the long-term evolution of the project.

“The most important thing for a driver is to get involved in a project that is a winner, sooner or later. Aston Martin’s investment and ambition show this,” he told Spanish radio station La Cadena SER.

Alonso’s arrival should also mean a strengthening of the engineering team at Aston Martin, according to the former driver: “As an engineer, you choose the best project, not the one that will pay you the most. Alonso’s arrival will also attract more talent to an ambitious project.”

Fernando Alonso’s ‘El Plan’ project since his return to motorsport’s premier discipline in 2021 to return to the top is still valid according to Pedro de la Rosa.

“‘El Plan’ continues… and the plan is to win again. In the end, Fernando won’t say it, but he changed the plan because it’s a better plan. I really like this union, it’s going in the right direction. Lawrence Stroll is a successful businessman, who has managed to bring his projects to fruition despite the difficulties”, concluded the Spaniard.