Fernando Alonso wants to extend Formula 1 career beyond 2026 season
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has revealed he wants to extend his Formula 1 career beyond the 2026 season, stating at the Monaco historic grand prix that he is not yet ready to retire.
The 44-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current campaign but explicitly stated that he hopes 2026 will not be his final year on the grid.
Previously, the Spaniard suggested he would evaluate his future as the year progressed and anticipated treating 2026 as his definitive farewell tour.
However, speaking to the event’s official television channel, the veteran driver emphasised his enduring passion for elite motorsport.
I love what I do, I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years old, and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. The moment I have to stop racing, it will be a very hard decision and difficult to accept. Fernando Alonso
The former Ferrari and Renault star added that he still feels highly competitive, motivated, and genuinely happy whenever he takes to the track.
Aston Martin struggles hinder farewell plans
The veteran’s optimistic outlook comes despite a highly challenging start to the year for his current team.
Aston Martin entered the campaign with massive expectations following their transition to a works engine partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda.
Optimism was further fuelled by the high-profile acquisition of legendary car designer Adrian Newey, who joined the Silverstone-based outfit in March of the previous year.
Instead, the team has suffered a dismal opening phase, battling severe performance deficits and crippling reliability issues.
Chassis and engine woes plague new partnership
Initial public scrutiny fell heavily on Honda after severe engine vibrations caused mechanical failures and extreme physical discomfort for both drivers.
However, subsequent analysis across the first three races revealed that over half of the team’s overall performance deficit actually originates from the chassis.
Newey clarified that his delayed arrival and significant wind tunnel complications heavily disrupted the design process, leaving the team four months behind rival constructors in crucial research and development.
Despite the substantial setback, the esteemed engineer remains confident that Aston Martin can successfully bridge the chassis performance gap as the season progresses.
Honda granted developmental lifeline
Meanwhile, the broader Formula 1 paddock widely acknowledges that Honda currently possesses the weakest power unit among all engine manufacturers.
As a result, the Japanese marque is expected to receive permission for extra development and upgrade opportunities to address their severe operational deficiencies.
This regulatory mechanism is built into the new 2026 power-unit guidelines, specifically designed to offer trailing manufacturers a realistic chance to close the competitive gap.
With Aston Martin possessing limited options to secure a top-tier replacement driver, an eventual upturn in form could easily convince the legendary Spanish driver to orchestrate a final swansong in 2027.
