Just in:Fernando Alonso addresses Retirement spec….read more
Fernando Alonso has shed light on his Formula 1 future, making it clear that while he doesn’t intend to race until he’s 50, he hasn’t set a firm retirement date yet. The 43-year-old Spaniard, currently the oldest driver on the grid, is under contract with Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season — a pivotal year with major regulation changes and the return of Honda as the team’s engine partner.
Alonso, a two-time world champion, revealed that the upcoming 2026 regulation shift was a major factor behind his contract renewal. Speaking to the media, he noted that Aston Martin’s evolving project — particularly Honda’s involvement and the recent announcement that famed F1 designer Adrian Newey will join the team — significantly boosted his enthusiasm to stay.
“When we negotiated the new deal, I already knew I wanted to race in 2024 and 2025, but 2026 played a big role,” Alonso explained. “The arrival of the new regulations and Honda made it very appealing. Then, the news that Adrian Newey would be part of the project made it even more exciting.”
Despite committing to Aston Martin through 2026, Alonso remains undecided about his career beyond that point. He plans to take a flexible approach, evaluating things on a season-by-season basis after 2026, rather than signing any long-term deals. Alonso emphasized that his motivation remains high for now but acknowledged that he could not predict if he would feel the same three or four years down the line.
“I can’t say what will happen after 2026,” he admitted. “After that, I’ll decide year by year. Right now, I’m very motivated, but I don’t want to commit to something if I’m not 100% passionate about it.”
Alonso also touched on the growing speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future and how it might affect Aston Martin’s driver lineup. With Verstappen’s Red Bull future uncertain and rumors suggesting he could be tempted to join Aston Martin — especially with Honda and Newey involved — questions have surfaced about who might make room for him.
Given that Lance Stroll is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, many assume Alonso would be the one to step aside if Verstappen joined. However, Alonso appeared relaxed about the situation, highlighting his strong relationship with both Lawrence and Lance. He expressed confidence that future decisions would be made transparently and with the team’s interests as the priority.
“I have a very good relationship with Lawrence and Lance,” he said. “When the time comes, we’ll talk openly about what’s best. If they want me to stay and I feel competitive, I’ll continue. If not, I’ll be the first to step away.”
For now, Alonso remains focused on delivering strong performances over the next two seasons before making any further decisions about his future.
