Fernando Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain after the two‑time world champion hinted that a decision about staying with Aston Martin will not be made any time soon. The 45‑year‑old Spaniard has expressed growing frustration with the sport's upcoming 2026 technical regulations and the lackluster performance of his Aston Martin‑Honda package, which has only managed to score points on two occasions this season. Alonso's current contract with Aston Martin runs out at the end of the 2023 campaign, and he indicated that the forthcoming changes to the power‑unit formula will be a decisive factor in his next move.
Under the new rules, the proportion of electrical energy that can be harvested from the hybrid system will drop from roughly 50 percent to 42 percent, a reduction that could alter the balance of performance across the grid. "We need to understand whether the rule changes for next year will affect the racing and the driving experience," Alonso told reporters at the Spanish Grand Prix on Thursday. "The cars we have now, as I have said many times, are not the most enjoyable to drive.
Next year there is a step in the right direction, hopefully." He added that he will weigh his options with the team, considering whether he should remain behind the wheel or take on a different role where he can contribute most effectively. "It will be a joint decision," he said, "and the most important thing is to find the best programme for the coming season." The very next day, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem appeared to intervene on Alonso's behalf, suggesting that the governing body wants to speed up Honda's development programme so the Japanese manufacturer can close the gap to the leading power‑unit suppliers. "We cannot let Fernando leave just because of the current circumstances," Ben Sulayem said.
"He should be able to stay as long as he is successful, not forced out by poor performance." Ben Sulayem's remarks were interpreted as a personal outreach, but insiders at Sky Sports F1 noted that the president is likely to work with the Power‑Unit Advisory Committee—comprising all five engine manufacturers—to devise a support plan for Honda. One possible avenue is to amend the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities) regulations, which currently focus mainly on internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) upgrades, to allow broader development levers.
Honda has already exercised one of its two upgrade slots for the 2023 season and is slated to have at least two more opportunities for 2027, backed by an extra £14 million development budget. Ben Sulayem told Alonso that the FIA had already taken legal steps in May to facilitate engine improvements, and he invited the Spaniard to voice any specific requests that could help lift the team's results. "We are here to support," the president said after a meeting with Aston Martin’s Lawrence Stroll.
While Red Bull was recognised earlier this year by the FIA as having the strongest power unit, many in the paddock still view Mercedes as the benchmark for engine performance. Both Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies have expressed openness to regulatory tweaks that could help Honda catch up. Wolff explained that the ADUO mechanism was originally designed as a catch‑up tool, and that Honda needs additional leeway to remain competitive. Mekies added that the sport regularly revisits regulations to address imbalances, noting that a previous amendment to ADUO was voted on by all teams to aid those lagging behind.
It is still unclear whether Alonso's comments were primarily a push for rule changes that would benefit Aston Martin and Honda, or a genuine expression of dissatisfaction with the current generation of cars. The truth is probably a mix of both. Alonso debuted in Formula 1 in 2001, racing the thunderous, naturally aspirated V10s of that era—a stark contrast to today's highly regulated hybrid machines.
The shift in technology, combined with Aston Martin's struggle to produce a front‑running car, has undoubtedly weighed on his enthusiasm. The question now is how long the Spaniard wishes to continue racing if he cannot compete for podiums. At 46 years old next summer, he would be one of the oldest drivers on the grid; the last driver to race at that age was Graham Hill in 1975.
Alonso recently became a father and has hinted that he still harbours ambitions in other motorsport disciplines, including a possible return to the World Endurance Championship and a bid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin’s trackside chief Mike Krack stressed that the team wants to retain Alonso but must respect his personal timeline.
"We have always been clear that we want to continue working together, but we need to listen to Fernando's thoughts and give him the time he needs to decide," Krack said after the Spanish Grand Prix. He added that the team is confident a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, but emphasized that no concrete plan B has been discussed publicly.
The broader driver market offers limited alternatives for Aston Martin. Most of the 2027 grid is already set, with Max Verstappen extending his Red Bull contract and the Williams duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon confirmed for next year. Only a handful of seats remain open—namely the second Red Bull seat, the Racing Bulls, Haas, and the forthcoming Audi entry—making it difficult for Aston Martin to replace Alonso with a marquee name should he decide to step away.
Alonso’s recent performances have been hampered by both engine and chassis issues. Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins noted that the car’s lack of reliability forces the driver into qualifying battles that often end in Q1, and that the recent aerodynamic upgrade in Hungary offered only a modest gain, while the Zandvoort engine upgrade fell short of expectations.
"Driving at the back, dealing with unreliability, and constantly risking injury week after week—it stops being fun," Collins said. In summary, Alonso’s future hinges on several intertwined factors: the impact of the 2026 regulation changes, Honda’s ability to close the power‑unit gap, Aston Martin’s competitiveness, and the personal considerations of a driver who is approaching the twilight of his career. The FIA’s willingness to explore regulatory adjustments, such as expanding ADUO opportunities, could provide a lifeline, but whether those measures will be enough to keep a champion of Alonso’s stature in the sport remains to be seen.
The upcoming races, starting with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will offer further clues as the Spaniard and his team navigate this pivotal crossroads.