Fernando Alonso’s position in Formula 1 remains uncertain after the two‑time champion hinted that a decision about staying with Aston Martin will not be made any time soon. The Spaniard has voiced growing frustration with the sport’s 2026 rule package and the lackluster performance of his Aston Martin‑Honda machine, which has managed to score points in only two races this year. At 45, Alonso is approaching the end of his current contract with Aston Martin, which expires at the close of the season. He told reporters at the Spanish Grand Prix that the upcoming changes to the power‑unit formula – specifically the reduction of electric boost from roughly 50 percent of total output to 42 percent – will be a decisive factor in his future plans.
“It’s a matter of understanding what the rules for next year will mean for the racing and the driving side of things,” he said. “The cars we have now, as I’ve said many times, are not the most enjoyable to drive. Next year there is a step in the right direction, hopefully.” Alonso added that he must weigh the best programme for the next season and sit down with the team to decide whether he will continue behind the wheel or move into a different capacity where he can contribute most effectively.
His comments came just before FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem appeared to signal a willingness to accelerate Honda’s engine development in order to close the gap to the leading power‑unit manufacturers. Ben Sulayem’s remarks were unusually personal.
He told the press, “There is no way we can allow Fernando to leave – Alonso, a great champion – just because of the circumstances. He should be able to stay as long as he is successful, not forced out by poor performance.” The president said he had met with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and would push for changes that could persuade Alonso to remain. He also promised to speak directly with the driver, acknowledging how disheartening it must be for Alonso to race in his home country only to finish at the back of the pack. The FIA president’s comments suggest a possible intervention through the Power‑Unit Advisory Committee, which includes all five engine manufacturers.
One avenue being discussed is a revision of the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities) rules, which currently focus mainly on internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) power. Honda has already exhausted one of its two upgrade slots for 2023, retains at least two more for 2027, and received an extra £14 million development budget.
Adjusting ADUO to allow more flexibility for hybrid and electric components could give Honda the breathing room it needs to become more competitive. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies have both signalled openness to regulatory tweaks that could help Honda catch up. Wolff explained, “The ADUO was designed as a catch‑up mechanism and that formula was unlocked for Honda, and they need more.” Mekies added that the sport regularly revisits regulations to keep the competition healthy, noting that a previous amendment to ADUO was approved earlier in the year specifically to aid lagging teams. Whether Alonso’s comments are a strategic push for rule changes that would benefit Aston Martin and Honda, or simply an expression of genuine disappointment with the current cars, is hard to determine.
It is likely a mixture of both. Alonso debuted in Formula 1 in 2001, an era of roaring naturally aspirated V10 engines, a stark contrast to today’s hybrid turbo‑charged units. The shift in technology, combined with Aston Martin’s struggles to produce a front‑running car, has left the champion questioning how long he wants to continue racing if he cannot compete for podiums.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins summed up the situation: “It’s not fun driving at the back, dealing with unreliability and only making it to Q1. The engine is underperforming, but the chassis isn’t helping either. The Hungary aero upgrade gave a little boost, and the Zandvoort engine upgrade fell short of expectations.
Fernando isn’t enjoying it, and there comes a point where you wonder if it’s worth the risk week in, week out.” Alonso will turn 46 next summer, and the last driver to race in Formula 1 at that age was Graham Hill in 1975. The Spaniard became a father earlier this year and has hinted that he still harbours ambitions beyond F1, including a possible return to the World Endurance Championship and a shot at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin’s trackside chief Mike Krack reiterated the team’s desire to keep Alonso, saying, “We have always been clear that we want to continue with Fernando. We respect his thoughts and the time he needs to decide.
We are confident we can find a solution that works for everyone.” Krack declined to discuss any ‘Plan B’, emphasizing how vital Alonso is to the team, the sport and motorsport as a whole. He warned that losing the champion would be “dramatic” and something the organisation would rather avoid. The broader driver market offers limited alternatives for Aston Martin. Most of the 2027 grid is already set, with Max Verstappen renewing his Red Bull contract and Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon confirmed for next year.
Only a few seats, such as the second Red Bull slot, Racing Bull, Haas and the forthcoming Audi entry, remain unfilled, reducing the likelihood that Aston Martin could replace Alonso with a high‑profile driver should he decide to retire. In summary, Alonso’s future hinges on several factors: the impact of the 2026 regulation changes, the speed at which Honda can improve its power unit, the willingness of the FIA to adjust ADUO rules, and the driver’s own assessment of his enjoyment and competitiveness.
The FIA president’s personal outreach and the expressed support from other top teams indicate that the sport’s governing bodies recognise the value of keeping a champion of Alonso’s stature on the grid. Whether those efforts will be enough to convince the Spaniard to stay, or whether he will choose to step away and pursue other racing challenges, remains to be seen as the season heads toward the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the final stretch of the 2023 calendar.