Two‑time world champion Fernando Alonso has signaled, perhaps more clearly than ever, that he intends to keep racing in Formula 1 for at least another season. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard told reporters at the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco that he hopes 2026 will not be his final year in the sport, adding that he still feels competitive, motivated and genuinely happy when he is behind the wheel.
Alonso’s comments come at a pivotal moment in his career. His current contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of the 2026 campaign, and the team has endured a tumultuous start to the new era of technical regulations.
After a forced retirement from the opening two rounds of the season – a decision prompted by technical issues that left the car unable to start – Alonso managed to finish 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix, the only race so far where either of the team’s cars has crossed the finish line. When asked about his future, the veteran driver replied, “The time will tell. I will feel it. At the moment, I don’t feel it’s that time yet.
I feel competitive, I feel motivated, I feel happy when I drive. So, yeah, hopefully not the last season.” He went on to reflect on his lifelong passion for racing, noting that he first got behind a steering wheel at the age of three. “I’m 44 now, which means I have spent 41 years of my life driving. The moment I have to stop racing will be an extremely difficult decision and hard to accept,” he said.
Alonso’s desire to stay on the grid is understandable when you consider the context of Aston Martin’s 2026 season. The team entered the new regulatory period with great optimism, having secured the services of legendary designer Adrian Newey and forming a works partnership with Honda’s power unit program.
Expectations were high that the combination of Newey’s aerodynamic expertise and Honda’s revitalised engine would translate into immediate competitiveness. Instead, the reality has been starkly different. The first three race weekends have been a nightmare for the British outfit. Alongside new entrant Cadillac, which was always expected to languish at the back of the pack, Aston Martin has struggled to find any pace.
The team’s cars have been off the pace by several seconds per lap, and they have been unable to break into the points. In Japan, Alonso’s 18th‑place finish was the sole instance where an Aston Martin car completed a full Grand Prix distance, underscoring the depth of the challenges they face. These performance woes have broader implications for the driver market.
If Aston Martin cannot deliver a competitive car, it may find it difficult to attract a high‑profile replacement for Alonso in 2027. The team could be forced to settle for a less experienced driver, or they might need to renegotiate contracts to keep their current star.
Conversely, Alonso himself may be reluctant to walk away from a team that is currently underperforming, especially after investing years of his career into building a legacy with them. Beyond the immediate on‑track struggles, the 2026 season marks a transformative period for Formula 1 as a whole. The sport has introduced new aerodynamic concepts, larger wheels, and a shift toward more sustainable fuels, all intended to make racing closer and more exciting for fans.
Teams are still learning how to extract performance from these changes, and the learning curve has been steep. Aston Martin’s difficulties are symptomatic of a broader adaptation phase, but they also highlight how quickly fortunes can change in a sport where technical innovation is relentless. Alonso’s personal motivation remains a key factor.
He has repeatedly expressed a love for racing that goes beyond mere competition; it is a lifelong passion that began in early childhood. That emotional connection can be a powerful driver (pun intended) for extending a career, even when results are disappointing. In past interviews, he has spoken about the mental and physical preparation required to stay at the top level, emphasizing the importance of fitness, diet, and mental resilience. At 44, he is among the oldest drivers on the grid, yet he continues to demonstrate the stamina and focus needed to compete against much younger rivals.
Looking ahead, the next race on the calendar is the Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 1‑3, which will also host the season’s second Sprint weekend. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract, offering flexibility for viewers who want to keep up with the unfolding drama. In summary, Fernando Alonso has made it clear that he does not view 2026 as his swan song.
While his team, Aston Martin, grapples with the growing pains of a new regulatory era, the Spanish driver remains optimistic about his own competitiveness and his love for the sport. Whether the team can turn its fortunes around in time to provide a more compelling platform for Alonso – or whether he will decide to seek opportunities elsewhere – remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Alonso’s passion for racing, honed over four decades, will continue to influence his decisions as the season progresses.