Fernando Alonso views 2026 as the “time of truth” amid his Formula 1 retirement plans with big things expected of Aston Martin.
Alonso, 43, holds the record for the most starts in F1 history with 401 and the veteran Spaniard isn’t ready to quit just yet.
That’s because he signed a multi-year contract extension with Aston Martin last year to keep him racing through the 2026 season.
A lot is promised of Aston Martin in 2026 thanks to a rules reset, a works engine deal with Honda, a brand new factory and wind tunnel plus the design nous of Adrian Newey all coming together to produce the Silverstone-based squad’s car next year.
Alonso will turn 45 during the 2026 campaign and with expectations high, he’s viewing it as a last roll of the dice to win races, and perhaps a championship before hanging up his F1 racing gloves for good.
“The expectations will be high [in 2026] because it’s a new change, a new car, change of regulations, a car made by Adrian,” Alonso said on the Chequered Flag podcast.
“Probably – or at least to start with – it will be my last season in Formula 1 because my contract finishes at the end of 2026, so it’s the time of delivering and the time of truth. High expectations.
“I will start the season thinking like that, for sure, because I cannot think too much in the future.
“At the moment, my current contract is for two more years. With my age, my motivation, I don’t know how it’s going to be.”
If Aston Martin delivers on its high expectations for 2026, Alonso revealed he could be tempted to prolong his F1 career a little while longer, saying: “If the 2026 season is running smoothly and we’re having a good time and there is a possibility to race one more year, I will be open, for sure.
“I will not close the door beforehand, but I will not start [the season] thinking that,” he added.
“I will take every race if it was my last race and I will enjoy every second.”
Flavio Briatore longs for championship farewell for Alonso
Alonso, a two-time F1 champion, is widely considered one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
However, his last title came in 2006 and his last Grand Prix win in 2013, with misfortune plaguing the Spaniard for much of his career.
Alpine Advisor Flavio Briatore serves as the veteran Spaniard’s Manager, and like Alonso, sees 2026 as his final year in the sport.
“If you ask me if Fernando wants to continue after we finish the contract, our last year will be 2026 for the moment,” Briatore told the Formula For Success podcast.
Still, in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Briatore revealed he hopes Alonso can end his F1 career with a long-awaited third title.
“There are now two feelings in my chest. On the one hand, I hope that Fernando can get off to another flying start with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin in 2026, but on the other hand, he’s racing against Alpine,” the Italian said.
“But still, would a World Championship title as a farewell be a brilliant story?”
READ MORE – Fernando Alonso reveals how he remains motivated amid Aston Martin F1 woes
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