Fernando Alonso has opened up on the reasons why he has decided to remain in Formula 1, explaining his belief that he is “as fast as anybody”.
The 45-year-old ended months of speculation on Tuesday afternoon with an announcement with Aston Martin, who confirmed he and teammate Lance Stroll will take on a fifth season as teammates.
In a social media video posted by the Silverstone-based squad, Alonso, reflecting on his impressive career, stated he had decided to “retire from Formula 1,” before adding, after a pause: “But not yet.”
The Spaniard’s decision to remain in F1 will put a stop to the ongoing ‘will-he-won’t-he’ melodrama over the summer, having recently teased that he would be with Aston Martin whether he stayed in the cockpit or not.
Alonso, speaking to the BBC about deciding to compete in a 24th season of F1 – which will take him past his 46th birthday – offered his rationale for truly becoming one of the sport’s ‘elder statesmen’.
“First, this is my life,” he said. “I have this in my blood and I keep racing and I keep enjoying and this is a way of life, in a way.
“Probably for me the biggest, or the clearest thing to keep racing is I still feel self-confidence that I have something extra.
“And when I think about stepping down or taking a different role in the team or not driving the car or whatever, in a way I feel it should not be like that because I still feel as fast as anybody. So let’s have another go.”
Fernando Alonso ‘cannot stop’ whilst still believing he is faster than others
It is well-documented that Alonso has suffered in 2026, with Aston Martin having been rooted to the foot of the grid due to its car and power unit problems.
But the two-time World Champion stated that some of the results he has scored this season have reinforced that self-belief.
“I feel that I’m OK. Or, I’m faster than them,” he explained.
“So when I get changed and I go back home, even if I’m P18, in a way I feel some satisfaction and pride inside, even if it should not be the case because we are not competitive.
“How will I be in the living room, watching TV, thinking that I can do better? That will be my feeling now. When that changes, if I see that I lost abilities, I lost speed, I lost reflexes, I lost something, then I will be happy to watch from my living room the race.
“At the moment, I feel it was not the time because I’m better than that guy. I’m better than that other guy. I will think like that. And I cannot stop racing if I still think like that.”
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