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.

Alex Marquez claimed a comfortable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to halt overall leader Marco Bezzecchi’s five-race winning streak in MotoGP.

The Ducati-Gresini rider triumphed from fifth on the starting grid, crossing the line 1.903 seconds ahead of his Aprilia rival.

It marks a triumphant return to the top step of the podium for the recently turned 30-year-old, who secured his maiden premier class victory at this exact Jerez circuit last year.

Marc Marquez crashes out after sprint success

Sunday’s grand prix provided a stark contrast to Saturday’s chaotic, rain-lashed sprint event.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez had clinched victory in those treacherous wet conditions following some quick thinking to change bikes.

Despite starting from pole position in the main race, the older Marquez brother could not replicate his sprint success.

Alex closed the gap rapidly at the start of the second lap, executing a clinical move up the inside at turn six to snatch the lead.

Disaster struck for Marc just five turns later as he lost the front end of his Ducati and crashed out of contention.

Bezzecchi extends championship advantage

With clear track ahead, the younger Marquez brother proved untouchable for the chasing pack.

Fabio di Giannantonio delivered a strong performance to complete the podium places, while Jorge Martin crossed the line in fourth.

The result finally breaks a formidable run of form from the current championship leader.

The Italian had dominated the premier class by winning the final two rounds of last season and the opening three races of the current campaign.

Despite missing out on the victory, the second-place finish allows him to stretch his overall standings advantage to 11 points over Martin.

Di Giannantonio climbs to third in the title race, leaving the reigning champion languishing 44 points adrift in fifth.

A turning point for the Gresini rider

This crucial win propels the victorious Spaniard up to seventh in the overall classification.

His previous best result this season had been a modest sixth-place finish.

“We struggled a lot at the beginning of the year,” the race winner said.

“Today, it was clear – go from the first lap, pushing, trying to take the lead.”

“From that moment, I knew that the rhythm was really good until the end.”

Gianluca Rocchi, the head of referee assignments for Italy’s top football divisions, has suspended himself after being implicated in a sporting fraud investigation.

The Italian Referees Association (AIA) confirmed the temporary departure following inquiries launched by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Andrea Gervasoni, the video assistant referee (VAR) supervisor for Serie A and Serie B, has also stepped aside after being placed under investigation.

Allegations of referee favouritism

According to Italian news agency AGI, the former international official faces allegations of complicity in sporting fraud during the 2024-25 campaign.

The 52-year-old is accused of assigning a specific official to an Inter Milan fixture simply because that referee was favoured by the club.

Another incident under intense scrutiny involves a VAR decision not to intervene when an Inter Milan player allegedly elbowed an opponent.

Pressuring match officials

The referee designator is additionally accused of improperly influencing the review process during Udinese’s 1-0 victory over Parma.

It is claimed he pressured a VAR official into instructing the on-field referee to review a potential handball on the pitchside monitor.

The match officials had initially dismissed the penalty appeals but subsequently reversed their decision, allowing Florian Thauvin to score the decisive winning goal.

‘Unscathed and stronger’

A preliminary hearing regarding the serious allegations is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Sporting fraud is a criminal offence in Italy and carries a potential maximum prison sentence of six years.

“This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before.”
“My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances.”

The suspended chief concluded by stating he eagerly awaits further legal developments to fully clarify his position.

Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar has secured his fourth Liege-Bastogne-Liege victory by dropping French teenager Paul Seixas in the closing stages to take his 13th career Monument title.

Emotional tribute

Pogacar wore a black armband during the race to honour his former teammate Cristian Camilo Munoz.

The Colombian rider died on Friday from an infection linked to a knee injury sustained in a recent crash.

The world champion pointed to the sky in a touching tribute as he crossed the finish line.

An electric battle

Sunday’s race was highly anticipated as the first major clash between the sport’s dominant force and highly-rated teenager Seixas.

The 19-year-old initially matched a blistering attack over the brutal La Redoute climb with 35 kilometres remaining.

However, the French wunderkind was finally distanced on the steep 10 per cent gradients of the Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons.

A seated acceleration with 14km to go proved decisive, allowing the race leader to finish 45 seconds clear.

Chasing pack dynamics

Lidl-Trek’s Mattias Skjelmose was the best-placed of the remaining favourites following the initial surge on La Redoute.

The Danish rider was eventually caught by the chase group after struggling alone for several kilometres.

Former Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley attempted a late breakaway inside the final 30km, but the group quickly reformed to contest the final podium spot.

Evenepoel secures podium

Two-time winner Remco Evenepoel sprinted away from a large chasing pack to secure third place.

The Belgian finished one minute and 42 seconds adrift of the victorious Slovenian.

Closing in on Merckx

This triumph marks the third Monument victory of the season for the 27-year-old.

Having already conquered Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, he now sits on 13 career Monument titles.

He is just six victories behind cycling legend Eddy Merckx’s all-time record of 19 wins.

A victory at Il Lombardia later this year would make him the first rider in history to claim four Monuments in a single season.

Wrexham will attempt to secure a Championship play-off spot on the final day of the regular season when they host Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday.

The Red Dragons currently sit sixth in the table, ahead of seventh-placed Hull City on goal difference and a single point clear of Derby County.

Phil Parkinson’s side successfully clawed back a four-point deficit over the last month to take their top-six ambitions down to the wire.

“A few weeks ago we were four points adrift and the aim was to go right to the wire in the battle to get into the play-offs,” said the Wrexham manager.

He added that reaching this decisive scenario is an outcome the Welsh club would have accepted without hesitation at the start of the campaign.

Evolving mindset following Coventry defeat

The promotion hopefuls suffered a 3-1 defeat to title-winners Coventry City in their previous outing.

Midfielder Ollie Rathbone scored his eighth goal of the season in that loss and believes their deep frustration highlights the squad’s immense progress.

“It shows how much the team has evolved that we’ve come to the best team in the division and we’re disappointed that we’ve not taken anything away,” said Rathbone.

The 27-year-old expressed immense pride in their growth despite the ultimate disappointment against Frank Lampard’s newly-crowned champions.

Automatic promotion hopes complicate permutations

Visiting Middlesbrough arrive in North Wales with their own play-off berth already guaranteed.

However, Kim Hellberg’s men could still be chasing an automatic promotion spot depending on the midweek result between Southampton and Ipswich Town.

Rathbone insists the home side must ignore the intense outside permutations and focus entirely on claiming three points.

“I think you’ve just got to try and be as calm as possible, play the game as you would normally and hope you’ve done enough,” added the midfielder.

After 45 grueling fixtures in the second tier, the squad intends to go full blast this weekend with hopes of celebrating another historic achievement.

Welsh driver Elfyn Evans has reclaimed the World Rally Championship lead after finishing second behind Sebastien Ogier at Rally Islas Canarias.

The 37-year-old now holds a narrow two-point advantage over Toyota team-mate Takamoto Katsuta following the fifth round of the 14-race season.

He secured his position at the summit by collecting a maximum 10 Sunday bonus points alongside the 17 awarded for his runner-up finish.

Toyota dominate Spanish stages

Eight-time world champion Ogier secured his first victory of the campaign, crossing the line 19.9 seconds ahead of the new championship leader.

Toyota Gazoo Racing completely controlled the asphalt event, locking out the top four positions on the final leaderboard.

Finnish prospect Sami Pajari claimed the final spot on the podium, while Katsuta and his Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston finished fourth.

“It has been a solid weekend,” said Evans.

“It was a poor start and that put us out of the fight for the win.

“I have had mixed feelings, but congrats to Seb, he has driven an exceptional weekend.”

Solberg suffers late heartbreak

The Japanese manufacturer had been on course to claim an unprecedented top-five sweep before disaster struck for Oliver Solberg.

The Rally Monte Carlo winner crashed out on the penultimate stage after dominating earlier sessions with six stage victories.

Trailing the leading Frenchman by just two seconds, the 22-year-old was forced to retire his heavily damaged Yaris and left the Spanish island without scoring.

Armstrong faces steep learning curve

Elsewhere, Josh McErlean delivered a respectable eighth-place finish for M-Sport Ford.

His Motorsport Ireland team-mate Jon Armstrong endured a far more bruising encounter to finish 11th in his debut top-flight season.

The Fermanagh native lost more than two minutes on Saturday when spectators were forced to push his stranded car back onto the road.

“It has been quite a challenging weekend, there is no doubt about that,” said the 31-year-old rookie.

“It has taken a long time to get on top of a tyre on this rally.”

“It has not been a great rally, but sometimes you will have worse ones than good ones.”

Looking ahead to Portugal

The teams now have a brief respite before the championship shifts to gravel for round six in Portugal from 7 May.

The top of the provisional drivers’ standings remains incredibly tight as the current season approaches its midway point.

Rally Islas Canarias Top 5

WRC Championship Standings

Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen has escaped without injury after his car flipped and collided with a tree during a severe crash at the Rally of Wallonia on Sunday.

The Dutchman, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, was competing alongside co-driver Jesper Vermeulen when their vehicle slid off the circuit.

Images from the accident scene showed their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 overturned in foliage with severe structural damage and a torn-off wheel.

Despite the heavy impact, the rally veteran confirmed to GPblog that he was entirely unharmed following the terrifying incident.

“All good.”

Impressive fightback cut short

The duo were forced to withdraw from the tarmac event following the high-speed collision.

It concluded a dramatic weekend for the driver, whose vehicle was already carrying damage from an earlier incident during the fourth stage.

He had managed an impressive recovery drive on Saturday to reach third place behind leaders Adrian Fernemont and Maxime Potty before disaster struck.

The Wallonia route is renowned for its technical challenges, combining exceptionally tight, winding roads with remarkably quick sections.

Late co-driver change

The former grand prix racer was competing without his usual navigator for this year’s edition of the demanding event.

Regular co-driver Renaud Jamoul was unavailable to participate as he continues his recovery following surgery on an ankle problem.

Fortunately, neither the stand-in Vermeulen nor the driver sustained any serious injuries when their campaign came to an abrupt end.

Meanwhile, his son Max continues to navigate a turbulent period in his own Formula 1 career amid speculation regarding his long-term future in the sport.

The Red Bull superstar recently questioned the expanding calendar and sweeping regulation changes, admitting that enjoyment has occasionally been stripped out of racing.

“You also wait for 24 races. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?”

Everton midfielder Yuka Momiki scored a spectacular equaliser to level the scoreline against reigning champions Chelsea in a thrilling Women’s Super League encounter.

The Japan international delivered a moment of sheer brilliance to beat goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and bring the Merseyside club back into the contest.

Her unbelievable long-range effort caught the Blues’ defence entirely off guard during a fiercely competitive domestic clash.

A moment of magic for the Toffees

The Merseyside outfit have historically faced a stern test when coming up against the dominant West London side.

However, this stunning individual intervention provided a massive psychological boost for the ambitious squad.

Hampton, who has been in formidable form for her club, could do nothing to prevent the perfectly placed shot from finding the back of the net.

Vital implications for the domestic campaign

Securing a positive result against perennial title contenders is always a primary objective for teams looking to climb the league table.

The former Linköping playmaker showcased exactly why she was brought to England, combining technical proficiency with devastating execution.

Such high-calibre moments are essential if the team are to establish themselves as consistent challengers in the upper half of the division.