Fernando Alonso has made it clear that while the end of his Formula 1 career is approaching, he is not prepared to walk away until he feels he has achieved a satisfying conclusion with Aston Martin F1 Team.
The two-time world champion, who joined the Silverstone-based outfit from Alpine F1 Team in 2023, enjoyed an unexpectedly strong debut season. Alonso quickly re-established himself as a front-running contender, securing eight podium finishes and regularly challenging the leading teams. His performances reignited belief that he could still compete at the highest level despite being one of the oldest drivers on the grid.
However, the optimism that surrounded that first campaign has gradually faded. Aston Martin have struggled to maintain their early momentum, and their transition into the new regulatory era in 2026 has proven particularly difficult. The team’s fresh power unit partnership with Honda has not yet delivered the performance gains many had hoped for, leaving them battling near the back of the field.
The start of the 2026 season has highlighted these issues. It took several race weekends before both Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll managed to see the chequered flag in the same race. Even then, their results—finishing outside the points in Miami—underlined how far the team still has to go. With the next round approaching in Canada, there is growing pressure on the team to show signs of progress.
There has, however, been at least one area of improvement. Both Alonso and Honda representatives confirmed during the Miami Grand Prix weekend that the severe power unit vibrations which had plagued the car earlier in the season have now been largely resolved. While this has boosted reliability, it has not translated into meaningful performance gains on track, which remains the team’s primary concern.
Alonso has openly acknowledged the situation, adopting a pragmatic outlook. Speaking to media in Miami, he suggested that he understands the challenges facing the team and has accepted that immediate success is unlikely. Despite this, he remains committed to extracting the maximum potential from the car before making any decision about his future.
Looking ahead, Alonso’s retirement plans appear closely tied to Aston Martin’s competitiveness. The Spaniard has long stated that he wants to end his illustrious career on a high note rather than simply fading away in an uncompetitive car. His stance is straightforward: if the team delivers a strong package, he could step away sooner; if not, he is prepared to extend his stay in Formula 1 to achieve a more fitting conclusion.
He previously indicated that the introduction of the new regulations would play a key role in that decision. Alonso suggested that while the team might take time to adapt initially, he expects them to become increasingly competitive in the following seasons. This belief is partly rooted in the presence of renowned design expert Adrian Newey, whose influence is widely expected to shape the team’s long-term success.
For now, though, Aston Martin remain off the pace, with no points on the board in the constructors’ standings after the opening races. Alonso admitted that while reliability has improved, the car’s overall performance is largely unchanged compared to earlier rounds such as Japan. This lack of progress reinforces the reality that significant gains may not arrive until later in the season, if at all.
Ultimately, Alonso’s future hinges on whether Aston Martin can deliver a car capable of competing closer to the front. Until that happens, retirement will remain on hold.
