Fernando Alonso has given an insight into how he is approaching his F1 future, with the Spaniard admitting that he does not want to “compromise” Aston Martin by committing for several years should his motivation levels change.
Having switched to the team in 2023 – following a two-year stint with Alpine after his comeback to the sport in 2021 – it was confirmed in April 2024 that Alonso would remain with the squad into 2026, meaning that he will be onboard for the new wave of regulations.
The 43-year-old appears as driven as ever when out on track but, when asked during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend how long he sees himself continuing to race for, Alonso suggested that he will decide on this season by season.
“Not at 50, but I don’t know,” Alonso said of the age that he might still be racing at. “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.
Alonso will continue to drive for Aston Martin into 2026
“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.
“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.”
Alonso has also indicated that he will remain with Aston Martin in some capacity even when he is no longer racing for the team.
“I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel,” the two-time World Champion explained.
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“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.”
In recent times Aston Martin have struggled to replicate the strong start they enjoyed in 2023, during which Alonso was a regular visitor to the podium. Despite this, the Spanish driver insisted that he is still enjoying the process of helping the team to grow and move forwards.
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“When I left Alpine, I thought that I would not fight for a World Championship there,” said Alonso. “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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