Two‑time world champion Fernando Alonso has dropped perhaps the clearest hint 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 has already announced that his current contract with Aston Martin expires at the close of this campaign, has been candid about his decision‑making process, noting that a lack of competitiveness would make retirement a tougher choice. Alonso’s recent weekend in Japan illustrated the mixed fortunes he has experienced this year. After being forced to retire from the first two races of the season due to technical problems, the veteran finally crossed the finish line at the Japanese Grand Prix, albeit in 18th place.
While the result was far from the podium finishes he once regularly achieved, the very act of completing a full Grand Prix was a small triumph for both driver and team after a string of early setbacks. Speaking at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, the former champion reflected on his future with a measured optimism. "Time will tell," he told reporters.
"I will feel it when the moment arrives. At this point I don’t think that moment has come yet.
I feel competitive, I feel motivated, I feel happy when I’m driving. So, yes, I hope it won’t be my last season." Alonso also touched on the personal side of his passion for racing.
"I love what I do. I love racing. I took part in my first competition when I was three years old, and now I’m 44 – that means I’ve spent 41 years of my life behind a steering wheel.
The day I have to stop racing will be an incredibly hard decision and a very difficult thing to accept," he said, underscoring how deeply intertwined his identity is with the sport. The broader context of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar adds further intrigue. The season introduces a sweeping set of technical regulations aimed at making the cars faster, greener and more exciting.
Aston Martin entered this new era with high expectations, having secured the services of legendary designer Adrian Newey and a works partnership with Honda’s power‑unit program. Yet, the reality on track has been starkly different. Alongside newcomers Cadillac, which was expected to struggle at the back of the grid, Aston Martin has yet to score a single point in the first three race weekends of the year.
Alonso’s 18th‑place finish in Japan remains the only occasion where either of the team’s cars has managed to complete a full Grand Prix distance. These performance challenges could have significant ramifications for the team’s driver lineup moving forward. If the car continues to lag behind the front‑running outfits, Aston Martin may find itself with limited bargaining power when seeking a high‑profile replacement for Alonso in 2027. Conversely, the Spaniard’s own reluctance to hang up his helmet after a disappointing season could keep him at the team longer than originally planned, providing a measure of continuity as the organization works to close the development gap.
Beyond the immediate on‑track drama, the 2026 season is set to deliver a packed schedule of races across the globe, with the Miami Grand Prix slated for May 1‑3 marking the second Sprint weekend of the year. Fans will be able to follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, and the network is also offering streaming options through NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing viewers to cancel at any time.
In summary, Fernando Alonso’s recent comments paint a picture of a driver who still feels the thrill of competition and harbours a genuine desire to continue racing as long as his car can provide a reasonable level of performance. While the Aston Martin project has stumbled out of the gate, the partnership with Newey and Honda suggests that the team is committed to a long‑term turnaround. For Alonso, the decision to stay or leave will likely hinge on whether the 2026 car can evolve into a genuine contender, giving him the competitive platform he needs to justify extending his already remarkable career. Should the team manage to close the gap and start scoring points, it would not only bolster Alonso’s case for staying but also give Aston Martin a stronger negotiating position when planning its driver roster for the 2027 season and beyond.
Until then, the Spaniard’s heartfelt statements serve as a reminder that, after more than four decades of racing, his love for the sport remains undiminished, and his future in Formula 1 is still very much an open question.