Aston Martin has responded to fresh rumours linking Fernando Alonso with a shock move back to Alpine, as speculation swirls around his long-term future in Formula 1.
While the Spaniard remains committed on paper, his current contract lasting until the end of the 2026 season, whispers in the paddock suggest there may be more to the story behind the scenes.
Alonso returned to the sport with Alpine in 2021 after a two-year hiatus, before switching to Aston Martin in 2023.
He made an immediate impact, securing multiple podiums early on. However, momentum faded, and the team slipped to fifth in the Constructors’ standings by season’s end — a position it failed to improve on in 2024.
This year has been even more challenging. Aston Martin currently sits eighth, with Alonso scoring his first points of the season only at his home Grand Prix in Spain.
A recent upgrade at Imola appears to have sparked some recovery, with back-to-back points finishes in Spain and Canada.
Yet during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Sky Sports F1’s David Croft observed Alonso making multiple visits to the Alpine motorhome — fuelling speculation of a surprise return to the Enstone-based squad.
Team Principal Andy Cowell, however, brushed off the speculation, insisting there’s no cause for concern over Alonso’s visits.
“I’m happy for Fernando to wander into any garage,” he told Sky Sports.
“He knows lots of people up and down the pit lane. I’m also happy with the fact that he’s contracted to us next year and hopefully will stay with us long term as an ambassador with us.
“And it’s great working with Fernando, it’s always good to have a competitive person that pushes just like you used to [Rosberg] at Mercedes and pushes the team on and galvanises the team.”
Alonso’s future hinges on 2026 regulatory overhaul
Aston Martin’s competitiveness in 2026 — especially with the new Mercedes power unit — will be a key factor in Alonso’s future plans.
On the challenges ahead, Cowell highlighted the scale of changes coming next season:
“Next year is one of those unique changes in the regulations where it’s not just the power unit, it’s also the aerodynamic regulations and the fuel as well with an advanced sustainable fuel, different tires and just different tactics during the race,” he explained.
“How do you use straight line mode and manage the energy around the lap during the race?
“So it’s every single aspect of the race car that’s changing next year and I guess it’s the culmination of all those changes that makes it exciting.”
At 43, and having retired once before, Alonso’s racing future remains uncertain.
He’s still chasing his elusive 33rd career win, but whether that comes with Aston Martin, Alpine, or another team is anyone’s guess.
The two-time World Champion will surely recall how his 2015 move to McLaren unfolded, making him likely to approach any potential career change with extra caution.
READ MORE – How Adrian Newey-led 2026 Aston Martin car will dictate Fernando Alonso’s F1 future
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