One of the biggest personnel questions for the coming year in Formula 1 has been answered: Fernando Alonso will not move to Mercedes or Red Bull.
The 42-year-old Spaniard has extended his contract with the British racing team Aston Martin. “It’s a lifetime project,” said the two-time world champion on Thursday during a virtual media round. However, he did not disclose the exact duration of his new contract.
According to Alonso, the contract is the longest he has signed in his career and is expected to extend well beyond his racing career.
“It binds me to Aston Martin for many years. Let’s see how long I will continue to drive,” he said. “But yes, I will still be racing at 45.”
He will celebrate his 45th birthday on July 29, 2026. Apparently, he has agreed with co-owner Lawrence Stroll that after 2026, he can decide on his future.
Alonso has been driving for Aston Martin since early 2023, having taken over the cockpit from Sebastian Vettel, who ended his career. Last season, he achieved eight podium finishes and placed fourth in the drivers’ standings.
After the first four races of the current season, Alonso is in eighth place. In Japan, the Spaniard finished sixth, in Saudi Arabia fifth, and most recently in Australia eighth.
A significant factor in his decision, which came as a surprise at the time, was also the entry of manufacturer Honda into Aston Martin for the 2026 season when Formula 1 will undergo a major reform, especially in the engine area.
He is sacrificing a few more years of normal life, but he feels fresh and full of drive, emphasized Alonso. He also made it clear: “Retirement was not an option.” He simply loves racing too much to stop.
