Fernando Alonso addresses Retirement spec….read more
Fernando Alonso has share insights into his Formula 1 future, making it clear that while he doesn’t plan to race until he’s 50, the timing of his retirement is still uncertain. The 43-year-old Spaniard, currently the oldest driver on the F1 grid, is contracted with Aston Martin through the end of the 2026 season — a year that marks a major shift in F1 regulations and the return of Honda as the team’s engine supplier.
Alonso, a two-time world champion, emphasized that experiencing the 2026 regulation changes was a key reason behind his latest contract extension. Speaking to the media, he explained that the evolving project at Aston Martin — particularly Honda’s involvement and the more recent announcement of legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey joining the team — added to his motivation to stay on board.
“When we discussed the new deal, I was already keen to race in 2024 and 2025, but 2026 was a key part of it,” Alonso said. “The new regulations and Honda coming on board were appealing. Then came the surprise that Adrian [Newey] would be joining. That made things even more exciting.”
Despite the current commitment, Alonso has not made any decisions about his career beyond 2026. Instead, he is adopting a flexible, year-by-year approach after that point, allowing both himself and Aston Martin the freedom to assess the situation as it evolves. If he chooses to continue racing beyond 2026, Alonso stated he would prefer short-term extensions rather than long-term contracts.
“I don’t know what will happen after 2026,” Alonso admitted. “I will go season by season from then on. Right now, I feel very motivated, but I can’t guarantee that will be the case for three or four more years. I don’t want to commit to something I might not be fully passionate about in the future.”
Alonso also addressed the swirling speculation around Max Verstappen’s future and how it could potentially impact the current driver lineup at Aston Martin. With Verstappen’s Red Bull future uncertain — and amid rumors linking him to Aston Martin, especially following Honda and Adrian Newey’s move from Red Bull — questions have arisen about who would step aside if Verstappen were to join.
Given that Lance Stroll is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, it is widely believed that Alonso would be the one to make way should Verstappen arrive. However, Alonso seems unfazed by these rumors, emphasizing the strong relationship he has with both Lawrence and Lance. He expressed confidence that any future decisions will be made collaboratively and with the team’s best interests in mind.
“I’ve always had a great relationship with Lawrence and Lance,” he said. “When the time comes, we’ll sit down and have honest discussions about what’s best for the team. If they want me to continue and I still feel fast and motivated, I’ll stay. But if I don’t feel competitive, I’ll be the first to raise my hand and step aside.”
Ultimately, Alonso remains focused on the present and near future, determined to give his best over the next two seasons before deciding on his next steps.
