Alonso still hasn’t had enough of Formula 1

The next domino in the transfer market has fallen. Fernando Alonso will stay in Formula 1 for a while. The veteran is extending his contract with his current employer Aston Martin, which expires at the end of the year. The Spaniard will continue to make his rounds in the first division until at least 2026. His team announced this in a press release on Thursday evening (April 11).

Alonso ends speculation about his future. He had recently kept a low profile for a long time. He has repeatedly stated that he first had to decide if he wanted to continue driving in Formula 1 beyond the 2024 season. The 2005 and 2006 champion has now made a choice and secured himself for the future.

An easy decision for Aston Martin

In a specially convened press conference that evening, Alonso explained his reasons: “It was an easy decision to extend my contract.” First of all, the 42-year-old had to clarify for himself if he was ready to continue the difficulty of traveling in the future. “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 two-time world champion emphasized how much the game needs you. “Formula 1 takes all your time and it takes all your energy. But my love for Formula 1 and Aston Martin has not changed.” The 32-time Grand Prix winner made the decision to stay with his team shortly after the Australian weekend. Alonso kept his word and initially spoke to his current employer about a new deal.

Rejection of Mercedes

However, the oldest driver in the field also admitted that he had spoken to other teams. “I’ve talked to other teams. I think that’s normal when you’re in negotiations. You have to explore a little bit what the market will allow. That’s a very normal process.”

For Mercedes, Alonso’s extension means that the 2025 option will be lost. Team boss Toto Wolff’s team is still looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will start at Ferrari next year. Lately there has been growing speculation that Wolff has made an offer to Alonso if he doesn’t get the solution Max Verstappen wants. Red Bull themselves also did not seem to hesitate to offer Alonso a contract if Verstappen left the team. These doors are now closed.

The old man has faith in Aston Martin’s ambitious project. He also feels good in his current team, which he has been driving since the start of 2022. “22 months ago we had only a small factory of Jordan’s old team and now we are within half a tenth of a second of the top teams.”

Alonso’s second marriage to Honda

The contract extension is also explosive given that Honda will be supplying power units to Aston Martin from 2026. The Japanese will be Red Bull’s partner until the end of 2025. They will then join the team at Silverstone in time for the new car and engine regulations. Alonso was already driving with Honda car units from 2015 to 2017. At that time, the manufacturer had McLaren equipment.

This marriage ended in fiasco. The power unit has been very weak and vulnerable for years. Alonso did not leave the Japanese in a good position. His rapid-fire radio message traveled the world and gained cult status. At that time, Alonso supported the switch to Renault engines for the 2018 season, many experts thought it was impossible that Honda would enter into a partnership with the ambitious man from Oviedo again.

Alonso Honda now sprinkled roses in his media circle. “Honda is a manufacturer that has achieved great success in Formula 1. It has always been a company that I respected. They currently dominate Formula 1 and have been world champions in recent years. I believe they are strong and will be from 2026.” Alonso also likes the culture of the new and old lover: “I have a lot of sympathy for Japan. I really like dedication and discipline. I feel very close to that.”

The end of the work is not clear

Despite his advanced age, the new contract is not necessarily the last for him as a driver in Formula 1. Alonso carefully left the door open for more years in the Premier class and after his time in F1 he will remain in motorsport. “I always need the steering wheel in my hands. I can say almost 100 percent that I will drive the Dakar Rally again. In addition, Aston Martin is coming to Le Mans with Valkyrie. Those could be options for the future.”

Now Alonso’s main focus is Formula 1. He is not busy with other projects. “I’m very focused on Formula 1. That’s the only thing on my mind at the moment.”