Two‑time world champion Fernando Alonso has dropped the strongest hint yet that he intends to keep racing in Formula 1 beyond the 2026 season, saying he hopes that year will not be his final one behind the wheel. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard, who has already secured a place in the sport’s history books with multiple championships, previously indicated that he would review his future this year and that retirement would become a harder decision if his car remained uncompetitive.
Alonso’s current contract with Aston Martin is set to expire at the close of the 2026 campaign. The season has already been a difficult one for the veteran driver, who was forced to retire from the first two races after technical setbacks and only managed to cross the finish line in 18th place at the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite those setbacks, his comments at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco revealed a lingering desire to stay in the sport. "The time will tell.
I will feel it," he said when asked about his plans for the future. "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." Alonso 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 love what I do. I love racing.
I did my first race when I was three years old, and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. The moment I have to stop racing will be a very hard decision and difficult to accept," he added. The broader context of the 2026 season is also worth noting.
Aston Martin entered the new era of regulations with high expectations, having recruited the legendary designer Adrian Newey and secured a works partnership with Honda. Yet, the team has endured a nightmare start, struggling to adapt to the radically altered aerodynamic and power‑unit rules. Alongside new entrant Cadillac, which was expected to be a back‑marker, Aston Martin has failed to score points in any of the first three race weekends.
Alonso’s 18th‑place finish in Japan was the only instance where either of the team's cars completed a full Grand Prix distance. These performance challenges could have significant implications for the team’s driver lineup moving forward. If Aston Martin cannot improve quickly, the pool of top‑tier drivers willing to join a struggling outfit may be limited, potentially leaving the team with few alternatives to replace Alonso for 2027.
Conversely, Alonso’s own reluctance to retire after a disappointing season may keep him at the team longer, providing continuity while the organization works to close the performance gap. The 2026 Formula 1 calendar continues to evolve, with a full schedule of races that will test every team’s ability to adapt to the new technical framework. Fans can stream every race without a long‑term contract, and there are additional ways to stay connected, such as the F1 Show podcast and Sky Sports’ WhatsApp updates, which deliver the latest news, analysis, and video content.
Looking ahead, the next race weekend will see the series head to Miami for the second Sprint event of the year, scheduled for May 1‑3. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer a contract‑free experience. In summary, Fernando Alonso’s statements suggest that, despite a challenging start to the 2026 season and an uncertain future with Aston Martin, he remains motivated, feels competitive, and hopes to continue racing beyond this year.
His deep‑rooted love for the sport, combined with the ongoing development struggles of his team, make his future in Formula 1 a story that will unfold over the coming months. The next few races will be crucial not only for his personal decision‑making but also for Aston Martin’s ability to attract and retain top driving talent as they strive to become competitive under the new regulations.