Jenson Button confessed that he doubted whether Fernando Alonso would continue in Formula 1 ahead of his extension with Aston Martin.
However, the Brit then also expressed that the dedication Alonso still has for the sport ‘amazes’ him.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Alonso has spent most of his life in the sport, racing for many of the biggest teams, including stints at Ferrari and McLaren. After a brief retirement, he returned to the sport and eventually found a home at Aston Martin, returning to the podium with them in 2023.
Yet, Aston Martin and Alonso were slow to announce the Spaniards plan for 2027, with many voices believing that Alonso was finally retiring from the sport. This was due to his harsh criticisms of the new regulations and the fact that Aston Martin’s performance was not looking good.
He finally announced that he would remain in the sport and with Aston Martin in September, but Button told the F1 website that he had ‘a little bit of doubt’ that the Spaniard would continue.
‘A little bit of doubt’ from Button
“I mean, there always has to be a little bit of doubt, because he’s 45 years old now,” He said. “I’ve been out of the sport for 10 years, and I retired because I was tired!”
He spoke in depth about how it’s not just a want to continue but the dedication and the talent to compete at the highest level in motorsport.
“It amazes me – his dedication and how much he loves competing at the top level, and he’s still got it. So why not then keep going until he doesn’t want it anymore?
“He is going to want to see progress, that is the main thing. He probably knows he’s not going to win races any time soon, but as long as he can see progress and he is moving closer to that win, that’s what’s going to keep him going.
“I don’t know how he does it. I really don’t. He lives racing; he lives F1. When he’s not in an F1 car, he’s in a go-kart on his track, or he’s driving ex-DTM cars.
“He’s always driving something, and that’s his passion, and he likes driving on dirt as well. He keeps himself very busy with racing, and fair play to him.”
Likening his own experience, Button told F1 how when he retired it came from a want to do other things, and yet Alonso finds himself wholly dedicated to F1.
“For me, it was great to retire from F1 to go and do other things. Also, I’ve got other things I want to do in life, but his dedication to motorsport is undeniable, and I think unparalleled.” He said.
Consistency in Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s line-up remains the same since he joined the eam, with Lance Stroll alongside him for the fifth season. Button said he beleived the continuity was important not just for Alonso but the team as a whole.
“I think that’s really important for this team and continuity with both drivers is really important,” Button said. “They’ve been through the rough and hoping for the smooth, and the feedback from both of them is really key.
“Fernando is obviously the one who’s won the world championships, but Lance’s feedback is also important.
“We need two drivers’ feedback to enhance the car and [to make] a car that works for both drivers as well; you need that. That’s when you’re fighting for points.”
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