FERNANDO ALONSO: WILL HE RETIRE?

FERNANDO ALONSO WANTS TO LIVE THE FUTURE, BUT WITHOUT CHAINS

Fernando Alonso 🟢 never stops surprising. At 43, the two-time world champion continues to shine in Formula 1 behind the wheel of the Aston Martin, the team with which he’s contracted until the end of 2026. But despite his full commitment on track, the Spaniard has made it clear that he won’t commit beyond what his motivation allows. And that commitment is more emotional than contractual. “I’ll keep racing as long as I feel fast and competitive,” he states — with the clarity of someone who knows time doesn’t stop 🕰️.

Since returning to Formula 1 in 2021 with Alpine and then joining Aston Martin’s ambitious project in 2023, Alonso has found a place where he’s not only a driver but also an active part of building a team aiming to contend with the regulation changes coming in 2026 and Honda’s arrival as the new technical partner 🧠🔧. For Fernando, that year will be a turning point.

“I don’t want to put the team in a difficult position if in two or three years I no longer feel motivated,” he explained. That’s why his deal with Aston Martin is built with flexibility and mutual honesty: the contract runs through 2026, but decisions beyond that will be made season by season. A retirement at 50? “I don’t know. Definitely not at 50. But after 2026, we’ll see,” he said with a smile 😏.

Behind that calm demeanor lies strategy. The arrival of Adrian Newey, one of the most influential designers in F1 history, has been a powerful magnet. “When we were discussing the new contract, that news didn’t exist yet. It was another surprise. All of that made it very attractive,” admitted the Asturian, who says he maintains a transparent relationship with Lawrence Stroll and his son Lance, which will ease future decisions about his role within the team.

Because Alonso thinks beyond the steering wheel. While his current priority is still racing, he hints that his presence at Aston Martin will continue beyond his time as a driver 🧑‍🏫. “My contract with the team goes beyond my racing career,”he revealed. “I’ll be here for many years, in another role. If we win a world championship and I’m not behind the wheel, I’ll still feel very proud of the project 🏆.”

Even though Aston Martin hasn’t maintained the competitive level in 2024 that it showed early in 2023 — when Alonso was a frequent podium finisher 🏁 — the Spaniard remains calm. He’s focused on long-term work, on the process. “I enjoyed 2023 being competitive, and now I enjoy the process we’re building,” he said. He knows they’re not yet the team of the present, but he firmly believes they’re building a team capable of dominating the future.

His departure from Alpine happened precisely because he didn’t see a clear path to the championship in the short term. At Aston Martin, however, he found a more ambitious vision and the desire to build a winning structure, even if that requires patience and consistency. “In the short time I have left as a driver, I thought Aston Martin was a better place for me,” he reflected.

Thus, Fernando Alonso stands before Formula 1 with the experience of a veteran, the mindset of a builder, and the heart of an eternal competitor. His mission isn’t just to race. It’s to build a legacy 🛠️, to leave a mark. And if destiny takes him away from the cockpit, he’ll still remain close to the team that reignited his passion.