Aston Marting driver Fernando Alonso has no plans on retiring soon but is waiting on the 2026 F1 power-unit overhaul before making a decision.
Alonso, now 44, is heading into the final year of his current Aston Martin deal, which runs to the end of 2026 and would mark his twenty-third season at the top level. After a strong 2023 in which he scored eight podiums, the team have slipped back into the midfield, leaving him without a podium finish for two consecutive campaigns.
He admitted that 2025 has been “a difficult season”, with Aston Martin placing huge effort into the new regulations. The team are already heavily committed to their 2026 project, with Adrian Newey overseeing design work at their Silverstone base.
Alonso has said that next season will be crucial in deciding whether he continues into 2027. The two-time world champion explained that his motivation remains intact but is tied to having machinery capable of reigniting his competitive instincts.
“It is difficult to know your own performance when you don’t have a competitive car or an environment that wakes up your competitive spirit,” Alonso said. “That is not ready now when you are not fighting for big things. But 2023 was a good example, when the car was in the podiums. I have self-confidence.”
He added: “I have a lot of trust in the team that next year we can put things right and fight for something more important.
“As long as I feel competitive, fast, motivated and physically at the level, I will keep racing.”
Aston Martin are targeting a major step forward under the new rules, believing their long-term project and investment will bring them back into contention.
The next race of the 2025 Formula 1 season will be the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on Sunday, 30 November, run over 57 laps of the 5.380-kilometre Losail International Circuit.
