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Fernando Alonso has shed light on how he envisions the latter stages of his Formula 1 career, revealing he doesn’t want to commit too far ahead and risk becoming a burden to Aston Martin should his drive begin to fade.
The Spaniard, who rejoined F1 in 2021 with Alpine before switching to Aston Martin in 2023, confirmed earlier this year that he would continue racing with the Silverstone-based squad until at least the end of the 2026 season. This timeline will see him onboard during the sport’s next major regulatory overhaul.
Season-by-Season Approach After 2026
Despite showing no signs of slowing down at 43 years old, Alonso made it clear during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend that he doesn’t want to project too far into the future. Instead, he's choosing to assess his commitment on a yearly basis.
“Not at 50, but I don't know,” Alonso said when asked how long he might continue racing. “That's why we kept open the possibility as well. I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations – and I wanted to experience the 2026 rules and Honda coming to the team.”
He added that his decision to commit through 2026 was influenced by Aston Martin’s recent developments, including a high-profile recruitment.
“Then the surprise that Adrian [Newey] was joining the team a few months after that. There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract. But after 2026, I don't know. I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am.”
Avoiding a Long-Term Commitment That Could Hurt the Team
Alonso emphasized that he doesn’t want to tie himself or the team down to a lengthy agreement if he isn’t fully sure of maintaining his competitive edge.
“Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team. So we said let’s do it until the end of 2026 and then from then on I think I have an incredible relationship with Lawrence [Stroll] and with Lance.”
“We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team. I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need. If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated. If it's in another position, or I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand.”
Staying in Green – Even Beyond the Driver’s Seat
While the future of Alonso’s racing career remains uncertain beyond 2026, what’s clear is his long-term commitment to Aston Martin in a broader capacity.
“I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel,” he said. “But my contract is much longer than my racing career, so I will stay with this team for many, many years in a different role. If that means we can win a World Championship even when I’m not behind the wheel, I will still feel very proud of the project.”
Helping Shape the Team’s Future
Aston Martin’s performance in 2024 has yet to match the early momentum from 2023, when Alonso frequently visited the podium. Nonetheless, the veteran driver remains optimistic about the journey.
“When I left Alpine, I thought that I would not fight for a World Championship there,” Alonso admitted. “They may do in the future, but not in the short term – and I don’t have a long-term future, I will not race forever. So in the period when my racing career is active, I thought Aston Martin was a better place.”
“I did enjoy 2023, being competitive. And I do enjoy now the process that we are in and the building of this team of the future. I sometimes say we are not the team of the present – and that’s what I would like to have, because in the future I don’t know if I will be behind the wheel. But I will do my best to help us achieve the best results as soon as possible.”
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