Fernando Alonso's position in Formula One remains uncertain after the two‑time world champion hinted that a decision about his future with Aston Martin will not be made in the immediate future. The 45‑year‑old driver has voiced growing frustration with the sport's 2026 rule package and the lackluster performance of his Aston Martin‑Honda car, which has managed to score points on only two occasions this season.
With his current contract set to expire at the end of the year, Alonso indicated that the upcoming changes to the power‑unit formula – specifically a reduction in the electric component from roughly 50 percent to 42 percent – will heavily influence whether he stays behind the wheel or moves into a different capacity within the team. "It comes down to understanding how next year's regulations will affect the racing and the driving experience," Alonso explained during the Spanish Grand Prix press conference on Thursday.
"The cars we have now, as I've said many times, are not the most enjoyable to drive. I hope the changes for next year represent a step in the right direction. At the same time, I need to evaluate what the best programme for the next season looks like and discuss it with the team.
Whether that means staying in the cockpit or taking on another role where I can contribute the most, that decision will have to be made together." A day after Alonso's remarks, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem appeared to intervene on behalf of the Spanish driver, suggesting that the governing body would work to accelerate Honda's engine development so the British‑based power‑unit supplier could close the gap to its rivals. "There is no way we can allow Fernando to leave – a great champion – simply because of the current circumstances. He should be able to stay as long as he is successful and not be forced out by under‑performance," Ben Sulayem told reporters. He added that he had met with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and would push for changes that might persuade the team to retain Alonso.
The president's comments were interpreted by Sky Sports F1 as a personal outreach, but they also signal a broader willingness within the FIA to collaborate with the Power Unit Advisory Committee – a forum that includes all five engine manufacturers – to help Honda catch up. One possible avenue is to amend the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities) regulations, which currently focus primarily on internal‑combustion engine upgrades, to allow more flexibility for hybrid and electric components. Honda has already exhausted one of its two allocated engine upgrades for 2024, still has at least two upgrades earmarked for 2027, and recently received an extra £14 million development budget from the FIA.
Ben Sulayem recounted a private conversation with Alonso in which the Spaniard expressed disappointment at competing in his home Grand Prix under a car that no longer reflects his champion pedigree. "I told him I saw how upset he was. He has two world titles and is now fighting at the back of the grid.
That's not acceptable," the FIA chief said. He added that the organisation had taken legal steps in May to grant Honda additional development leeway and that he was ready to listen to Alonso's specific requests for improving performance. Red Bull's engine was deemed the best by the FIA earlier this year, although many in the paddock still view Mercedes as the benchmark. Both Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull's Laurent Mekies have expressed openness to regulatory tweaks that could help Honda become more competitive.
Wolff noted, "The ADUO was designed as a catch‑up mechanism and it has been unlocked for Honda; they need more opportunities." Mekies echoed the sentiment, stating that the sport regularly revisits its rules to ensure a level playing field and that stakeholders will continue to discuss the future of ADUO to address its shortcomings. 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 F1 cars, remains open to interpretation.
The Spaniard first entered Formula One in 2001, an era dominated by roaring naturally aspirated V10 engines, a stark contrast to today's hybrid power units. His nostalgia for the sound and feel of those machines may also be influencing his perspective.
Aston Martin's lack of competitiveness is another key factor in Alonso's calculus. If the team cannot deliver a car capable of fighting at the front, the champion may question how much longer he wants to stay in the sport.
Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1 summed up the dilemma: "It's not fun driving at the back, dealing with unreliability and qualifying only in Q1. The engine underperforms, and the car's aero upgrades have only marginally helped. Fernando isn't enjoying it, and the risk of racing week after week becomes harder to justify." Alonso will turn 46 next summer, an age that historically marks the twilight of a Formula One career – the last driver to race at that age was Graham Hill in 1975. Earlier this year, the Spaniard became a father and hinted that he still harbours ambitions beyond F1, including a possible return to the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Aston Martin's trackside chief Mike Krack emphasized the team's desire to retain Alonso, saying, "We've always been clear that we want to continue working with Fernando. We respect his thoughts and the time he needs to decide.
We're confident we can find a solution that works for everyone." The broader driver market adds another layer of complexity. Most of the 2027 grid is already set, with Max Verstappen extending his Red Bull contract and Williams retaining both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.
Only a few seats – notably the second Red Bull seat, Racing Bulls, Haas, and the forthcoming Audi entry – remain unfilled, limiting Aston Martin's ability to replace Alonso with a high‑profile driver should he choose to retire. Krack concluded, "I won't discuss any Plan B. We hope Fernando stays.
He's vital for our team, for Formula 1, and for motorsport as a whole. It would be a tragedy to lose him, and I don't want to think about that scenario." As the season moves into a triple‑header weekend in Azerbaijan, with the Grand Prix taking place on a Saturday, the conversation around Alonso's future and the potential regulatory adjustments to aid Honda and Aston Martin will continue to evolve. The outcome will shape not only the Spaniard's career trajectory but also the competitive balance of the sport as it heads toward the new 2026 regulations and beyond.