Two‑time world champion Fernando Alonso has offered the clearest indication yet that he intends to keep racing in Formula 1 beyond the 2026 season, stating that he hopes "2026 will not be my final year" behind the wheel. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard, who previously hinted that he would evaluate his future during the current campaign, reiterated that his decision will hinge on the competitiveness of his car and his personal motivation.
Alonso’s current contract with Aston Martin is set to expire at the close of this season. After a difficult start that saw him forced to withdraw from the first two Grands Prix, he managed to finish 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking the only occasion this year that either of the team's cars completed the full race distance.
In an interview conducted at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, the veteran driver reflected on his situation, saying, "Time will tell. I will feel it when the moment arrives.
At present, I don’t think that moment has come yet. I feel competitive, I feel motivated, and I feel happy when I’m driving. So, hopefully, this won’t be my last season." He went on to explain the depth of his passion for the sport, noting that his first experience behind a steering wheel came at the age of three. "I am 44 now, which means I have spent 41 years of my life in a car," he said.
"When the day comes that I have to stop racing, it will be an extremely hard decision and a difficult reality to accept." The broader context of the 2026 Formula 1 season adds further nuance to Alonso’s remarks. The sport is undergoing a major regulatory overhaul, with new aerodynamic and power‑unit specifications set to reshape the competitive landscape.
Aston Martin entered this new era with high expectations, having secured the services of legendary designer Adrian Newey and becoming the official works partner of Honda’s power‑unit program. Despite the promise of those partnerships, the team has struggled to translate technical potential into on‑track results. Over the first three race weekends, the team has failed to score a single point, and the only race where a car finished the distance was the Japanese Grand Prix, where Alonso placed 18th.
Aston Martin’s challenges are compounded by the arrival of Cadillac, a fresh entrant that was anticipated to occupy the back of the grid from the outset. While Cadillac’s performance has been modest, the British‑based outfit’s difficulties have been more pronounced, leaving them far from the podium contention they had hoped for. This performance gap raises questions about the team’s ability to attract a top‑tier replacement for Alonso in 2027, should he decide to step away. Conversely, the lack of success could also persuade the seasoned champion to remain, hoping to help the squad turn its fortunes around.
Alonso’s potential continuation in the sport carries several implications. From a marketing perspective, his presence adds star power and experience to a team that is still building its brand identity under the new regulations.
From a technical standpoint, his feedback and race‑craft could prove invaluable in developing the car throughout the remainder of the season and into the next. Moreover, his personal desire to keep racing aligns with a broader trend of veteran drivers extending their careers, as seen with other seasoned competitors who have found renewed motivation when presented with competitive machinery. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 1‑3, will be the second Sprint weekend of the season and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. This event offers another opportunity for Alonso to demonstrate his pace and for Aston Martin to showcase any improvements they may have made to their package.
Fans can stream the race via Sky Sports with the NOW platform, which provides a contract‑free viewing option that can be cancelled at any time. In summary, Fernando Alonso’s statements suggest that he does not view 2026 as the inevitable end of his Formula 1 journey. He feels motivated, competitive, and still deeply in love with racing, and he hopes to continue as long as his performance and the car’s competitiveness allow. While Aston Martin has endured a challenging start to the new regulatory era, the combination of Alonso’s experience and the technical expertise of Adrian Newey and Honda could eventually bear fruit.
Whether the team can close the performance gap and secure points remains to be seen, but Alonso’s desire to stay the course adds an intriguing narrative to the unfolding 2026 season.