“I feel part of the brand”

Fernando Alonso has renewed with Aston Martin, and will race in Formula 1 at least until 2026, when Honda will also be there… then we’ll see

Now it’s official, updated to Fernando Alonso with Aston Martin until 2026. Despite his age, the Spaniard does not seem to want to extinguish that desire compete on the track and among young drivers. The driver himself admitted, during the announcement of his renewal with the English team, that Don’t imagine your whole life without a steering wheel in your hand.

Racing drivers are racing drivers. This means that it is clear that Formula 1 will always be the first target among them, but it is certain there are many options even outside the premier motorsport category. Among them, for example, there is Dakar. One of the most difficult and demanding tests on the planet, which Alonso took part in 2020.

But Fernando Alonso decided remain in Formula 1 in 2025 and 2026. After that, it is very likely that the Spaniard, as he himself admitted, will decide to try other types of motorsport.

“The thought of retirement never crossed my mind, but apart from that, obviously I will race somewhere after Formula 1… maybe Dakar or something. It’s really hard for me to think life, without the steering wheel in my hands. This will never happen or at least not in the short term. I was 99% confident that I could compete next year, and withdrawing was not an option,” said the driver from Orvieto in a press conference, in which SoyMotor.com participated.

“It’s very difficult to talk about this, because I can’t predict when I will leave the competition or when I retire from racing. It certainly won’t happen in 2025 or 2026… let’s give it at least two more years. I want to keep improving with Aston Martinin all areas and I will do my best,” he added.

Fernando: “I will help Aston Martin even later”

Fernando Alonso was asked about once partnership as a driver with Aston Martin ended in Formula 1, he could continue to support the British team: “probably yes”.

The two-time World Champion also mentioned 24 Hours of Le Mans, an endurance race in which he himself participated and even won twice. The Spaniard has never given up hope return to compete in that race in the future.

“Not at the moment. I am very focused on Formula 1. However, I think I can say that I will 100% try again in the future when I leave Formula 1. It’s something that has been going on in my head. More than that, Aston Martin will be there with the Valkyrie from next yearand it could be a project where I could help in some way, whether as a pilot or not. I would like to see Aston Martin won in any category. This will be good for the brand.”

“I feel part of the Aston Martin Formula 1 teambut also the brand itself,” Added Alonso in conclusion.

And in 2026, Honda arrives

And then Honda engines arrive in 2026, pushing Aston Martin cars. In fact this will have pushed Fernando Alonso to renew with the British team, giving faith in Lawrence Stroll’s project.

In addition to the arrival of Honda with its engines, The 2026 represents the beginning of a new era of Formula 1, and new technical regulations. In short, many new features that could give more motivation to the Spaniard, pushing him to sign the renewal.

Also at the press conference, Fernando Alonso spoke about Honda and himself desire to return to cooperation with the Japanese, despite his less than positive past experience, when he was a McLaren driver and also in IndyCar. At the same time, he insisted the competition that Honda shows with Red Bull.

“Honda is a manufacturer that I have always respected. It didn’t work at McLaren, but then they solved all the problems and now they are ruling the game. They have been champions in recent years. The foundation of 2026 is already very strong, and in Sakura they had the ability to build something very good,” words of Fernando Alonso.

“I visited the Sakura headquarters in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and I already knew that they were very motivated. After McLaren Honda and IndyCar, now we have it Another opportunity to work together with me is a real pleasure,” it shows.

2026, many new things towards the unknown

Fernando seems very motivated find a partner like Honda again in 2026, almost ten years after their previous debut. It was 2015, the time of The Spaniard had signed with McLaren.

On the other hand, the Spaniard had the opportunity to work with Japanese people when he participated WEC with Toyota. So he doesn’t see much better than Formula 1 until 2026, so much so that he is convinced that: “They have all the tools to succeed”.

“The level of dedication that the Japanese have is very high. If it really happens in Japan. I have worked with Toyota in the WEC for some time and I am familiar with their discipline. In 2026 we will go into the unknown and the code, but if I choose a project, I choose our … our engine. They dominate the game, they have a A very powerful unit with Red Bull. Moreover, with new fuel and regulations, they will have all the tools to succeed. That’s how I feel,” added Fernando Alonso.