Fernando Alonso has outlined his plans in Formula 1, confirming he has no intention of racing until the age of 50, but he could remain at Aston Martin beyond 2026.
The two-time World Champion continues to remain the oldest driver on the F1 grid at 43 years old, having been with Aston Martin since moving from Alpine in 2023.
Alonso’s existing contract with Aston Martin ties him to the team until the end of the 2026 season, by which point he will be 45, when new regulations are introduced.
But amid ongoing speculation about Max Verstappen’s place at Red Bull and links to Aston Martin, Alonso insists he remains focused solely on the immediate future.
When asked by Motorsport Week whether he could see himself continuing past his forties, Alonso responded: “Not at 50, but I do not know.
“That is 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.”
The Spaniard acknowledged that Aston’s recent acquisition of esteemed designer Adrian Newey made the decision to sign a longer-term deal even more attractive.
“There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract,” he explained.
Could Alonso extend past 2026?
While Alonso is committed for now, he admitted that from 2027 onwards he will evaluate his position season-by-season rather than committing to long-term deals.
“After 2026, I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am,” he expanded.
“Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team.”
Alonso’s relationship with Aston Martin
Alonso emphasised the strong relationship he has developed with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, which he believes will allow for open discussions about his future role.
“We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team,” he highlighted.
“I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need.
“If it is behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated.
“If it is in another position, or I do not feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand.”
READ MORE – Aston Martin calls crisis meeting as Fernando Alonso fears point-less F1 2025
Discussion about this post