Two‑time world champion Fernando Alonso has signaled, perhaps more clearly than ever, that he intends to keep racing in Formula 1 beyond the 2026 season. In a candid interview at the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco, the 44‑year‑old Spaniard said 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 contract with Aston Martin is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, and the team’s performance this year has been far from encouraging. After a forced retirement in the first two rounds of the season, the veteran driver managed to finish 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix – the only occasion this season that either of the Aston Martin cars has completed a full race distance.
The lackluster results have raised questions about the team’s future direction and, by extension, the driver lineup for 2027. When asked about his plans, Alonso 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 am 44 now, which means I have spent 41 years of my life driving. The moment I have to stop racing will be a very hard decision and difficult to accept,” he said.
Alonso’s remarks come at a turbulent moment for Aston Martin. The team entered the new era of technical regulations for 2026 with high expectations, having secured the services of legendary designer Adrian Newey and a works partnership with Honda.
Yet, after three race weekends, the team has struggled to even break into the points, with the Japanese Grand Prix being the sole race where a car crossed the finish line. This stark contrast between ambition and reality has left the team scrambling for solutions, and it may limit their ability to attract a top‑tier replacement for Alonso should he decide to step away.
The broader context of the 2026 season also deserves attention. The calendar features a mix of classic venues and newer events, with the Miami Grand Prix slated for May 1‑3 as the second Sprint weekend of the year.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, and streaming options are available through NOW without a long‑term contract. Meanwhile, the F1 community continues to debate the impact of the new regulations on competitiveness, especially for teams like Aston Martin that are still adapting to the aerodynamic and power‑unit changes. Alonso’s desire to stay in the sport is not merely a personal wish; it reflects his belief that he still has more to contribute on the track. Over his career, he has amassed two world titles, numerous podiums, and a reputation for extracting performance from less‑than‑ideal machinery.
His experience could be invaluable to a team that is currently underperforming, offering technical feedback and race‑craft that younger drivers might lack. If the 2026 season proves to be a turning point, several scenarios could unfold.
One possibility is that Aston Martin manages to improve its package enough to keep Alonso motivated and competitive, perhaps by accelerating development with Honda or making strategic aerodynamic upgrades. Another outcome could see the team looking for a fresh face to rejuvenate its image, but the lack of points and podiums this year may make it difficult to attract a high‑profile driver without offering a clear path to success. For Alonso, the decision will likely hinge on a combination of factors: the competitiveness of the car, the level of support from the team, and his own physical and mental readiness to continue at the highest level of motorsport.
He has already hinted that a lack of competitiveness would make retirement a more attractive option, but his recent statements suggest that the current car still provides enough of a challenge to keep him engaged. In summary, Fernando Alonso is openly hopeful that 2026 will not mark the end of his Formula 1 journey. While Aston Martin’s early struggles this season cast a shadow over the team’s prospects, the Spaniard’s passion for racing and his belief in his own abilities remain strong. As the season progresses and the team works to unlock the potential of its new technical package, fans will be watching closely to see whether Alonso’s optimism translates into a continued presence on the grid or if the inevitable crossroads of age, performance, and opportunity will lead him to a different path.