Fernando Alonso has admitted his excitement for the new Formula 1 regulations in 2026, as he looks to end his career on a high with Aston Martin.
2025 has not been a year of great excitement for the Spaniard, who is currently on course for his worst Drivers’ Championship finish since his 2017 season with McLaren. He did enjoy a strong P5 at the Hungarian GP, but has more often found himself scrapping for the lesser-rewarding points places.
However, there is a certain air of curiosity around Aston Martin for 2026.
The Silverstone-based team takes great confidence from having the services of the legendary Adrian Newey, who Alonso labels as “the best designer in the history of our sport.” As F1 enters a new regulation era, you could argue that no one is better for the job than the man whose designs have earned 26 championships.
While Alonso has admitted that he does not need to continue racing, he drives on to help “Aston Martin become World Champions.”
Alonso believes his experience could be crucial in F1 2026 adaptation
The two-time Drivers’ Champion believes he has an edge over the younger drivers on the grid in his quest to become champion once more.
When asked if his experience makes him better placed to handle the change in 2026, he comments, “I think so.
“I’ve driven very different cars in motorsport… and very different eras of Formula One. So, whatever we find next year in the first couple of days with the car, I’m sure that it will have some similarities with some of the experiences that I had in the past.
“Hopefully, I can understand any problems or opportunities, and feed that back to the team.”
Alonso first retired from F1 in 2017 after a dismal few years with McLaren, before returning to mixed success with Alpine in 2021. He enjoyed a stellar first year at Aston Martin, but results have fallen since then.
On his future, Alonso admits that he has thought about extending his career beyond 2026. However, it hinges on Aston Martin’s performance.
“If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop because I’ve been chasing a competitive car and a competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it’s a very good way to close my career.
“Let’s say that if we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”
READ MORE – Fernando Alonso reveals key Adrian Newey problem as F1 2026 nears
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