Fernando Alonso has committed to Aston Martin F1 until the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Despite speculation linking the Spaniard with potential shifts to Mercedes and Red Bull, he opted to extend his tenure with Aston Martin.
The extension of Alonso’s contract with the Silverstone-based outfit marks a significant initial development in F1's driver market puzzle.
The move gains further importance as there were speculations about outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz potentially joining Aston as well.
At 42, Alonso is the sport’s senior citizen and the two-time F1 world champion will be 45 by the time his new deal ends with Aston.
"Securing Fernando's long-term future with Aston Martin is fantastic news,” commented team principal Mike Krack.
“We have built a strong working relationship over the last 18 months and we share the same determination to see this project succeed.
©AstonMartin
“We have been in constant dialogue over the last few months and Fernando has been true to his word: when he decided he wanted to continue racing, he talked to us first. Fernando has shown he believes in us, and we believe in him.
"Fernando is hungry for success, driving better than ever, is fitter than ever, and is completely dedicated to making Aston Martin a competitive force."
Significantly, Alonso’s new deal keeps him on board for F1’s crucial 2026 regulation shift, when Aston Martin transitions from Mercedes into a works partnership with engine supplier Honda.
This pact signifies a potential mending of fences between Alonso and the Japanese manufacturer. Their past collaboration with McLaren was fraught with reliability issues and public frustrations, leading to a rather acrimonious split.
Alonso's willingness to partner with Honda again suggests a belief in their renewed commitment and a focus on building a successful future together.
"This multi-year agreement with Fernando takes us into 2026 when we begin our works power unit partnership with Honda,” concluded Krack.
“We look forward to creating more incredible memories and achieving further success together."
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
