At 43, Fernando Alonso is Formula 1’s silver fox, still zipping around tracks with the gusto of a rookie, but the two-time champion is keeping his retirement plans as open as a rear-wing in a DRS zone.
Committed to Aston Martin through 2026, when he’ll hit 45, Alonso’s not quite ready to hang up his helmet – but don’t expect him tearing up the grid at 50, either.
With a twinkle in his eye and a contract fueled by new rules and big names joining the team, the Spaniard’s taking it one high-speed season at a time, leaving fans guessing when he’ll finally park it.
Alonso’s love for F1 is as strong as ever, despite Aston Martin’s current struggles, somewhat mitigated by the Silverstone-based outfit’s exciting prospects.
“Not at 50, but I don't know,” he told the media last weekend in Jeddah, when pressed on his racing timeline. “That's why we kept open the possibility as well.”
The 2026 season, with its new regulations and Honda’s arrival, was too tempting to resist.
©AstonMartin
“I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations — and I wanted to experience the 2026 rules and Honda coming to the team,” he said.
The cherry on top? “Then the surprise that Adrian was joining the team a few months after that. There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract.”
Post-2026, Alonso’s ready to play it by ear, favoring short-term deals to keep things flexible.
“But after 2026, I don't know,” he admitted. “I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am.”
Right now, he’s buzzing: “Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team.
“So we said let’s do it until the end of 2026, and then from then on, I think I have an incredible relationship with Lawrence and with Lance.
“We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team.”
Ever the team player, Alonso’s open to any role: “I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need.
“If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated. If it's in another position, or I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand.”
For now, Alonso’s racing, revving up for 2026, leaving the F1 world wondering just how long this legend will keep racing.
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