Formula 1: Alonso remains at Aston Martin

“It was an easy decision to extend my contract,” Alonso smiled proudly in a press conference after the announcement. “It took me a few races to think if I wanted to drive in Formula 1 for another few years. The racing calendar kept expanding.”

The Spaniard will be 45 years old when his contract expires. That would mean he would be two years older than Michael Schumacher, who retired from the premier class for the second and final time at the age of 43. “Formula 1 takes all your time and all your energy,” admits Alonso “But love My relationship with Formula 1 and Aston Martin has not changed.”

The 32-time GP winner made the decision shortly after the Australian doctor. During that weekend, rumors emerged that there was talk of a move to Red Bull. “I have spoken to other teams,” admits Alonso “I think that is normal when you are in negotiations. You have to explore a little bit what the market will offer. That is a very normal procedure.”

But it seems he didn’t want to take a chance next to Max Verstappen – or just to be sure about where he will drive in the future. “I will decide his fate,” is how he describes his carefully chosen technique as a king involved in a chess move. With Red Bull, on the other hand, the power struggle of the local team between team boss Christian Horner and the Austrian side of Red Bull continues to heat up as the constellation will be for the world constructors’ champion is unknown.

Aston Martin, on the other hand, is constantly marching towards the top of Formula 1. This obviously inspires confidence in the old master. “22 months ago we had a small factory for the old Jordan team and now we are within half a tenth of a second of the top teams,” he reckons, referring to the new state-of-the-art factory at Silverstone.

All is forgiven and forgotten: “Honda is a manufacturer that has achieved great success in Formula 1,” Alonso now praises “It has been a company that I have respected. They are currently dominating Formula 1 and are the last. After being. world champions, I believe they will have a good start to from 2026.”

Sainz’s problem, which could also hasten Alonso’s decision: all teams don’t want to commit too quickly. At Red Bull, Helmut Marko talks about the summer they want to think about pairing a driver from 2025. At Mercedes, team boss Toto Wolff is waiting for his dream driver, Max Verstappen.

Alonso is not too old to race.