August 26, (THEWILL) – Formula 1 race driver Fernando Alonso has decided to extend his illustrious racing career into 2022 after Alpine took up the option on his contract for next season and activated the clause to keep him with them for the period based on mutually agreed terms.
As a 40-year-old, Alonso returned to the grid this year with the former Renault team after a two-season absence and showed increasingly impressive form up to the summer break to give Alpine the confidence to retain him going forward into the changes being made to the racing circuit.
The two-time world champion confirmed that he was going to continue next to Esteban Ocon at Alpine for another year with the implication that the Spaniard, who made his debut aged 19 in 2001, will see his F1 career span beyond 20 years.
The highpoints of Alonso’s years came when he won his two world titles in 2005-2006 with the same Enstone-based outfit and he said of his extension: “I’m very happy to confirm the contract extension with Alpine F1 Team into 2022.
“I felt at home the moment I returned to this team and have been welcomed back with open arms. It is a pleasure to work again with some of the brightest minds in our sport at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon.
“It’s been a tricky season for everyone, but we’ve shown progress as a team and the result in Hungary serves as a good example of this progression.
“We’re targeting more positive memories for the rest of this season but also crucially from next year onwards with the new regulation changes coming into Formula 1. I have been a big supporter of the need for a level playing field and change in the sport and the 2022 season will be a great opportunity for that.
Also pleased with the deal was Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO who said: “For us it is a perfect driver line-up, amongst the strongest on the grid. It works in a hugely complementary way, with both offering raw talent and speed, yet impeccable team spirit that delivered our first win in Hungary.”
THEWILL recalls that a disappointing four seasons at McLaren after leaving Ferrari at the end of 2014, forced Alonso to step away from the sport entirely three years ago. He dedicated himself to other thrills like competing in an array of different motorsport disciplines including sportscars and rally-raid.
In 2019, he won the World Endurance Championship with Toyota, a campaign which included back-to-back wins in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
However, the lure of an F1 return ultimately proved too strong and last summer he signed up to return to the Renault-owed team he had twice previously raced for earlier in the first half of his career, between 2003-2006 and 2008-2009.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
