“I love Aston Martin. Honda? Best boyfriend in the world”

The Formula 1 driver market has been alive today thanks to the renewal of Fernando Alonso, who has signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin, pending new regulations and Honda’s official return to the grid. The two-time world champion has been prioritizing the Silverstone team, with which he will participate at least until the 2026 season inclusive, despite the contract being longer. Asturian explained this in a press conference for some selected media, including Form1a.uno.

Fernando, was it a difficult decision?
ALONSO: “No, actually, it was easy. I don’t think much has changed since we talked about my possible renewal at the launch of the car last February. I just had to decide whether to continue my commitment to Formula 1 for more years. My love for Aston Martin has not changed. But first I wanted to talk to myself and make a decision, because F1 requires all my time and energy. You have to give up everything to race and I had to ask myself if I was still ready to do it. Once that was decided, the choice was easy. I think I decided that after Australia or so. Then I sat down with the team which, as I have already said, was my priority. I am happy to continue with them. We both wanted to close this deal and it was easy. There has also been a sense of loyalty to Aston Martin and it is not yet time to close this chapter together.

What were the reasons that pushed you to renew?
ALONSO: “In the first conversation I was very clear with them; the interesting part of this project is really everything that we are building like the new campus, last year, and the wind tunnel, this year. Then there are the new regulations and Honda as a new partner, for me they are things very important. Honda and Aramco are the biggest and best partners in the world. There are very talented people in the team who will benefit from the new equipment at Silverstone. All the things that have made Aston Martin attractive for the target of 2026. However, we are not just talking about that season , but also about others. In some ways this is the longest contract of my career. It will keep me tied to Aston Martin for years to come. Let’s see what the role is, depending on how many years I still want to drive. If I stand I will use my experience of 40 years, 25 in Formula 1 and 15 out of this world, to support the team that has given me this opportunity at this point in my career. But now I’m motivated for the next few years on the track.”

What excites you about the partnership with Honda and their Power Unit program?
ALONSO: “Honda is a manufacturer that has been very successful in F1 and also outside of F1. When they came back, it didn’t work with McLaren, but they solved the problem and now they dominate and have been champions for the last few years. They will have a solid base for 2026 and I know what they can do at Sakura. I was there in 2014-2015-2016, not recently, but I know everyone is motivated. It will be nice to use sustainable energy and we have a great partner like Aramco on our side. I see a win-win situation. I also have a lot of respect for Japanese culture; we are back from Suzuka, I always wear a special hat there, I have a Samurai tattoo on my back, many things that remind me of Japan.”

How important was it to renew early also given the current market conditions?
ALONSO: “I am curious to see what questions will be in China (laughs). Besides, I had already said in Jeddah, that I was outside all these movements and rumors in the market. I would decide my future at my own pace, without having anything fixed on me I had to decide to go ahead, then I would talk to Aston Martin first, and it was. I didn’t get involved in the rumours, I didn’t wait for anyone. For better or worse I would decide my own destiny. I’m happy to keep traveling, even to sacrifice myself, but I’m fine and I feel fine. I am encouraged and delighted to reach an agreement with Aston Martin.”

When you talked about other teams, did you mean Red Bull and Mercedes? The new contract will make you F1 at 45, this has never happened in the modern era, what do you think?
ALONSO: “I won’t talk specifically about the teams I talked to, I don’t think this is important. Today is my renewal day with Aston Martin. I think it’s normal that we also talk to other teams. You make yourself aware of various situations, even if they are not very interesting, but it is better understanding of the situation. And so it was, My priority has always been Aston Martin. Almost 45? Yes, it’s a good number. If one day I no longer feel right or fast, we have a very real relationship with Aston and I would be the first to raise my hand and say maybe I’m missing something or find a solution together, but I don’t think that will do. happen in the next few years. In Japan, as mentioned, I think I had one of my best races. And Lewis will also turn 40 in January, so at least he won’t be alone at 40 and over. “

You’ve always said that Aston Martin has priority, but were you also looking for confirmation from them?
ALONSO: “Yes, but it did not depend only on one tribe, but on the whole context. Pre-season, photography, videos, car launches and all these things that take a lot of energy, especially for someone like me, at this stage of my career. Then I asked to let me see how I would handle this period of things about marketing, time zones about the calendar, long trips and more. If I felt I didn’t like it anymore, I would consider not continuing. If, however, this period passes without problems, I told myself that I wanted to continue and this was the first thing that I wanted to clarify for myself. Then I really wanted to see how the car was going. You know it can happen that there is no progress, the team doesn’t improve and so I can look elsewhere, but it hasn’t been like that. We’re still not close to Red Bull, but we’re not too far off. There will be races where we do better and others lower. We have already started new things and in every race we had something and this was encouraging to see; the team is making progress. In F1 you can never be fast enough. However, only 18-22 months ago we were in a very small building and now we are fighting for half a tenth with Ferrari and Mercedes and other top teams. I see the interest in this project and I want to be a part of it. “

Have you ever thought about quitting?
ALONSO: “No, I don’t think it ever happened to me. It’s hard to imagine my life without the steering wheel in my hands, it’s never going to happen or at least not for a while.”

How long is this contract? And what do you see for the next few years?
ALONSO: “I don’t know, let’s say for sure I will drive in 2025 and 2026. I can’t predict when I will stop and retire. One of the reasons that pushed me to stay, as already mentioned, is to work with Honda and the new regulations. It will still take years to develop and I will do everything I can to bring victory to Aston Martin, but I will be happy even if they get without me on the track, but in another role, in the future. “

Have you signed a contract even beyond your work on the song?
ALONSO: “It is possible, but I don’t know when I will stop. I have a car to drive and if I can do it for many more years, I will, but if I have to stop before then, I will definitely stay in a different role.”

How do you know that two years from now you will still be motivated? What prompted you to sign this type of contract?
ALONSO:“I can’t be 100% sure about the future, but I feel I love driving too much and I can’t stop now. The sacrifice is less than the joy I feel and the passion I have. I breathe Formula 1. I train, eat and do everything to be fit for F1. I don’t feel like I have to change my life yet, I love what I’m doing. I wouldn’t be happy sitting at home watching F1 because I think I can still give a lot here and do better on the track than off. My worries and limitations are only for my family, but they told me to see from year to year, I also talked to them; they will come to the race more often, they will be in Miami now for example, my mother, my sister and my two nieces. We will try to plan well in this regard as well.”

Have you seen anything about Honda that convinced you they could succeed?
ALONSO: “I spoke to them a few months ago but not for Suzuka. As I said, I really love Japan and their culture. Their level of discipline and commitment is unmatched. I have worked with Toyota patiently with Honda and they represent these qualities. 2026 we will enter the unknown by all principles, but if I had to choose by feeling and emotion, I would choose our project, our engine because they dominate Formula 1 and have a very strong engine like us. look at Red Bull and AlphaTauri (Racing Bull). And then I think we also have the tools to be successful with new fuels.

Apart from Formula 1, is it possible to see you in other categories as well?
ALONSO: “At the moment there is only Formula 1 in my head, I think I can say that I will definitely try different cars than Aston Martin has, for example, the Valkyrie that will compete at Le Mans. So it will be something that I will probably do behind the wheel and not. I would like to see Aston win in any category. This would really help the brand that I feel a part of, not just the Formula 1 part, but for everything. I want the best for this brand.”