Fernando Alonso says 'good times are coming' in 2023 Formula 1 season with Aston Martin

The two-time World Champion has now embarked on a fresh career journey having left Alpine and begun a multi-year deal with Aston Martin, the team intent on climbing out of the midfield and challenging at the front of the grid in the coming years.

And it is a project which Alonso has very much bought into, the Spaniard heading to Aston Martin with "new motivation" and a sense that the "good times are coming".

"Happy to finish this chapter [at Alpine] and start with new motivation," Alonso told reporters, including PlanetF1.com.

"With Aston [Martin], their project is amazing what they are doing in terms of recruiting people, facilities, investment. So yeah, I think good times are coming."

Alonso's final season at Alpine was far from smooth, his past ruthless side returning at times as the team struggled with reliability issues, Alonso bearing the brunt.

He made it clear though that he departs the Enstone-based team with "good memories" and gratitude for what they have achieved together, the highlight for Alonso being those 2005 and 2006 Drivers' titles.

Put to him that he still needs to give Alpine some credit, Alonso replied: "Of course. I'm very grateful and I will always think of Alpine and Renault with good memories.

"We won the two championships, I spent nine years of my life in Formula 1 with Renault or Alpine, so I will be thankful always, and wishing them the best of luck next year [2023]."

Although Aston Martin were a team that grew stronger in 2022, falling just short of snatching P6 from Alfa Romeo in the Constructors' Championship, Alpine were still generally a step ahead.

The French manufacturer claimed that 'best-of-the-rest' P4 spot in the Constructors' standings, though without the aforementioned reliability struggles, their buffer over McLaren would likely have been far more comfortable.

So, for an Aston Martin team that ultimately wants to reach the front of the grid, fighting to finish at the head of the 2023 midfield will likely be the minimum expected of the team by Alonso.

If Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes remain the front three as expected, then for Aston Martin, it may come down to the performances of Lance Stroll alongside Alonso in terms of their chances of securing P4, should that midfield converge even further.