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. During a recent 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 future of his seat has been a subject of speculation for months. Earlier this year he hinted that he would reassess his options during the season, noting that retirement would be a tougher decision if his car failed to deliver a competitive package. The lack of pace has indeed been a recurring theme for Aston Martin this year. After a forced retirement in the opening two races, Alonso managed to finish 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix – the only occasion this season that either of the team’s cars has completed a full Grand Prix distance.
"The time will tell. I will feel it," he told reporters at the Monaco event.
"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, recalling that he first got behind a steering wheel at the tender age of three.
"I’m 44 now, which means I’ve spent 41 years of my life driving," he said. "When the day comes that I have to stop racing, it will be an incredibly hard decision and very difficult to accept." The broader context of Alonso’s remarks is the challenging start that Aston Martin has experienced under the new 2026 technical regulations. The team entered the era with high expectations, having secured the services of legendary designer Adrian Newey and forming a works partnership with Honda’s power‑unit program.
Yet, despite the engineering pedigree, the team has struggled to translate those advantages into on‑track performance. In the first three race weekends of the season, Aston Martin 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 woes are compounded by the arrival of new entrant Cadillac, which was always expected to start at the back of the grid. While Cadillac’s debut has been modest, the British outfit’s inability to compete for points has raised questions about its long‑term competitiveness and, by extension, its ability to attract a top‑level replacement driver for Alonso when his contract expires. If the team cannot improve its pace, it may find itself with limited options to replace its star driver for the 2027 season.
Conversely, Alonso may be reluctant to walk away after a season that has been far below his standards, especially given his deep emotional connection to the sport. The Spaniard’s statement underscores a personal resolve to keep fighting, even when the machinery does not match his expectations. Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar will see the next race weekend in Miami from May 1‑3, which will also host the season’s second Sprint event. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, and the network offers streaming options through NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing viewers to cancel at any time.
In summary, Fernando Alonso’s latest comments reveal a driver who remains passionate and eager to continue his Formula 1 journey, provided he feels he can still compete at a high level. While Aston Martin’s early-season struggles under the new regulations have cast a shadow over the team’s prospects, the Spaniard’s determination to stay the course suggests that retirement is not imminent. Whether the team can close the performance gap in the remaining races of 2026 will be crucial not only for its championship aspirations but also for shaping Alonso’s decision about his future in the sport.