Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell says both Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin are aligned on wanting to conclude their Formula 1 partnership on a high note.
The Aston Martin driver has long defied the odds of racing at an older age and has a contract in place to continue as F1 embarks on new regulations in 2025.
At 44 years old, Alonso is ready to embark on his 23rd season in the sport, a milestone that has him reflecting on his mindset and what keeps him motivated.
“I think drivers get better with time,” Alonso told Aston Martin. “The thing is that with age, you start losing motivation.
“You start losing the hunger of training every day and go to the factory and jump in the car and perform at your best. And at the moment, that didn’t arrive to me.”
Alonso stressed that his future will depend on how much he enjoys driving and how much help he will be able to give Aston Martin across the upcoming years.
“For next year, you know that’s my feeling,” he continued.
“If I have a car that I have fun with and get some results, I think maybe I will discuss with Lawrence [Stroll] and with the team what their needs are.
“I don’t need to race now to prove anything. I’m happy with my career, and I consider myself very lucky to be here for so many years.
“Now is a moment to help the team and to have fun. That’s something I need to see day by day next year.”
Aston Martin eager to give Alonso competitive car
This sentiment is deeply admired by Cowell, who expressed that Aston Martin is eager to ensure that Alonso can sign his long career off with competitive equipment.
“I think that’s linked to – we all want to finish on a high,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“He’d like to finish his driving career winning races, doing well in races. So I think that’s what that’s linked to.
While Alonso’s racecraft continues to draw attention during Grand Prix weekends, Cowell has highlighted the Spaniard’s immense contribution behind the scenes.
“He’s a huge part of the team,” Cowell added.
“Really useful to have him on board, providing guidance on what’s important for the ’26 car, work in the DIL sim and car configuration work and so on.”
Cowell believes Alonso’s technical understanding and experience make him invaluable, particularly as the team prepares for its new works partnership with Honda.
“Having Fernando involved in the process gives us a driver’s perspective rooted in decades of experience,” he elaborated.
“It helps us make the right calls early, particularly in how we configure the car around the new power unit and aerodynamics package.”
Cowell has admitted that Alonso’s continued dedication to the sport not only lifts him up but also encourages the entire team around him at Aston Martin.
“The feedback he gives is detailed, sharp, and very consistent,” he explained.
“That level of precision helps everyone- from the aero department to powertrain integration – stay focused on what matters most for performance.”
“As an engineer, you can’t help but appreciate the way he approaches the craft,” he said.
“He doesn’t just drive the car; he dissects it. He challenges us to think differently. That’s incredibly valuable as we push toward 2026 and beyond.”
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