Aston Martin team principal, Mike Krack, has conceded that the likelihood of the team getting to work with Fernando Alonso before the end of the year stands at practically zero.
Alonso came into the season out of contract in 2022, so Alpine boss, Otmar Szafnauer, was trying to negotiate a deal with him for another season.
The Spaniard wanted to more years, but Szafnauer could only offer him one, with an option to extend again at the end of 2023.
This was partly due to his age, and perhaps from a more cynical perspective, because they wanted to give Oscar Piastri a drive in the coming years.
READ: Carlos Sainz lashes out at race director as he risks race ban
The 41-year-old did not accept those terms, as he feels his performances have been sufficient for the French team not to consider another driver going forward, so he decided to look elsewhere.
Alonso held talks with Aston Martin owner, Lawrence Stroll, aware that Sebastian Vettel was also out of contract at the end of this season, and was considering his future.
The German would announce his retirement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, so Alonso signed with Stroll that weekend, and he will be driving with the Silverstone-based team until the end of 2024.
Alpine are unlikely to allow Alonso to perform any Aston Martin duties before the start of January, so Alonso will not be involved with Aston Martin until the beginning of 2023.
“We need to clarify what we can do and what we cannot do,” said Krack, per GPFans.
“He’s an Alpine driver, and we are Aston Martin and the contract starts at the beginning of next year.
READ: Aston Martin boss insists they considered drawbacks of signing Fernando Alonso
“So anything between, that is not possible.”
Alonso and team-mate, Esteban Ocon, has helped Alpine to fourth in the championship going into the final six rounds of the 2022 season, as they look to end the year best of the rest.
The 32-time race winner will be going to the team currently ninth in the standings next season.