Fernando Alonso has revealed that 2026 could mark his swan song in the sport he has helped define for over two decades.
With Formula 1 set to undergo a dramatic regulation overhaul, the Spaniard sees the upcoming season as his last opportunity to chase victories, podiums, and perhaps even a third world title – if Aston Martin can deliver a competitive car.
The 44-year-old has endured a frustrating 2025 campaign filled with retirements and missed opportunities, leaving him looking forward to the reset that the new rules will bring.
Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda and the arrival of design legend Adrian Newey have heightened expectations that the team could emerge as a genuine contender when Formula 1 enters its new era.
In an interview with AS.com, Alonso stressed that his decision about retirement will depend heavily on Aston Martin’s 2026 performance. While he is determined to leave motorsport’s eliote at the peak of his powers, he acknowledged that if the car proves strong enough, it may well be the year he calls time on a remarkable career.
©AstonMartin
His reflections, tinged with both hope and pragmatism, underscore the emotional weight of what lies ahead for one of the most decorated and enduring drivers in the sport’s history.
"I know it’s my last chance. That’s the key factor,” he acknowledged.
"I used to see other rule changes simply as changes, hoping my team would interpret the regulations well and give me a fast car.
“But this one is different, because it’s the last big change I’ll go through, and the last chance to win another race, enjoy the highs, get on the podium, fight for a title.
"There’s a lot of hope tied to 2026. Even if it’s no bigger or smaller than past rule changes, for me it’s emotionally very important."
Deciding His Exit
With Formula 1 introducing new aerodynamic rules and powertrain regulations, the entire grid will be forced to start from a clean slate.
Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda, alongside its strengthened technical operation, will be central to determining whether Alonso’s final push bears fruit.
©AstonMartin
"Right now, I don’t have a clear idea. If the car is strong, there’s a good chance it will be my final year," he said, before adding he would rather end on a high.
"I know I’d have more chances of doing well in 2027 or 2028, once the group we have now with [Adrian] Newey is fully settled.
"The first year might go well, but by the second or third you can be sure it will. But I need to see for myself. If the car is weak, I might go one more year just to end on a positive note. If the car is strong, 2026 will probably be my last year."
Aston Martin has invested heavily in preparation for the sport’s next era, most notably with the arrival of Newey earlier this year and the completion of a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Alonso sees those developments as signs of momentum.
"The team is moving toward its best period. On track, we’re doing what we can each weekend and yes, there’s some fatigue – we want the season to end so we can reset,” he said.
"But in the factory it’s the opposite – everything is focused on 2026, there’s a lot of excitement, and a new way of working under Newey’s guidance. Aston Martin is clearly on an upward path."
Leaving on His Own Terms
Alonso insists that his retirement won’t be dictated by a loss of performance, but rather his desire to exit Formula 1 at the top of his game.
“When I leave Formula 1, I want to leave as I am now – believing I’m the best. And with at least 30 or 40 percent of the outside world still thinking I’m the best.
“I don’t want to stop because I’ve lost ability. I’ll enjoy next year and take it one season at a time. But yes, I want to leave at the top.”
As Alonso eyes what could be his final campaign, much rests on Aston Martin’s ability to turn ambition into results.
For the Spaniard, 2026 will not just be another season, but a defining moment in how his extraordinary Formula 1 journey concludes.
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