The first domino from Sebastian Vettel’s retirement announcement has fallen as Fernando Alonso joins Aston Martin. Aston Martin announced Alonso will join them on a multi-year contract. This, on the other hand, opens doors for Alpine’s reserve driver Oscar Piastri. Or does it?

Oscar Piastri, a hugely talented driver, won the Formula 2 championship, but spent the subsequent year on the sidelines. General understanding was Alpine will sideline Piastri for another year, as Alonso’s would have continued with the French team.

However, the chain reaction kick-started by Vettel will give the young Australian a chance in the big leagues as soon as 2023. Alpine had been brooding over the futures of Alonso and Piastri for a while. The team did not want to let go of one for the other. Now, Aston Martin has helped them with the decision by convincing the 41-year world champion to switch sides.

Convinced with the Aston Martin project, Alonso commented, “This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula One today.” 

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Alpine is yet to comment on Alonso’s switch and Piastri’s announcement. However, the two announcements might not be simultaneous as Alpine will be well within their right to look at other options for the 2023 seat.

Fernando Alonso moves to Aston Martin with his Alpine seat up for grabs

Initially, Aston Martin was looking at multiple drivers for the rumored outgoing Vettel. Among others, Oscar Piastri was a name on the list, but Alonso’s switch to Aston Martin has closed that door.

Now Alpine has a seat available and team boss Otmar Szafnauer has indicated on multiple occasions that Piastri might drive in F1 in 2023. However, until last week the French team was publicly discussing loaning Piastri to Williams.

Even McLaren was an option to replace the struggling Australian, Daniel Ricciardo, with another. Alpine can also go ahead with the second options of employing a familiar face in Nico Hulkenberg, Aston Martin’s reserve for the 2022 season.

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Whatever the case may be, the final domino of this sage is yet to fall.