Fernando Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain after he hinted that a decision about staying with Aston Martin will not be made any time soon. The two‑time world champion has expressed growing frustration with the sport's upcoming 2026 rule package and the lackluster performance of his Aston Martin‑Honda machinery, which has managed to score points only twice this season. With his current contract set to expire at the end of the year, Alonso said the forthcoming changes to the power‑unit formula – specifically a reduction in the electric component from roughly 50 percent to 42 percent – will heavily influence his next move.
"It all comes down to understanding whether the new regulations for next year will have a real impact on 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 simply not the most enjoyable or rewarding to drive.
The next season promises a step in the right direction, hopefully. At the same time, I need to consider the best programme for next year and discuss it with the team – whether that means staying behind the wheel or taking on another role where I can contribute the most.
That decision will have to be made together." A day after his comments, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem appeared to signal a willingness to speed up Honda's engine development in order to close the performance gap. "There is no way we can let Fernando leave – a great champion – simply because of the circumstances," Ben Sulayem said. "He should be able to stay as long as he is successful, not forced out by a lack of results. I have spoken with Lawrence Stroll and we will work on changes that could alter his perspective.
The current situation is simply unacceptable." Ben Sulayem's remarks were seen as a personal intervention, but Sky Sports F1 noted that the FIA president intends to collaborate with the Power‑Unit Advisory Committee, which includes all five engine manufacturers, to help Honda. One possible avenue is to amend the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities) regulations so they are not limited to internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) power alone. Honda has already used one of its two upgrade slots for this season, has at least two more available for 2027, and received an extra £14 million in development funding. Ben Sulayem added: "I met with Fernando, saw how upset he was, and told him I understand his frustration.
It's not acceptable that a two‑time champion comes to his home race and finds himself at the back of the pack. We have already taken legal steps earlier this year to allow the team to improve the engine, and I asked him what he needs from us to get better results.
After that conversation I spoke with Lawrence Stroll – we are here to support." Red Bull was judged earlier this year to have the best power unit by the FIA, though 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 rule changes that could help Honda catch up. Wolff said, "The ADUO was designed as a catch‑up mechanism and it has been unlocked for Honda, but they need more.
The conversation with Fernando is fair – we want all top constructors to be competitive and successful. Sometimes regulations need tweaking for the good of the sport." Mekies echoed this sentiment, noting that the ADUO rules were already altered earlier in the year to aid teams that were lagging behind. "We cannot agree on everything, but as stakeholders we look for solutions when a situation needs fixing. We will sit down later and discuss the future of ADUO, address its shortcomings, and find a path forward," he said.
It is difficult to determine 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 cars. Likely it is a combination of both. Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001, racing the roaring naturally aspirated V10s of that era, a stark contrast to today's hybrid turbo‑charged units.
The shift in technology, combined with Aston Martin's lack of competitiveness, has left the Spaniard questioning how much longer he wants to stay in a sport where he cannot fight 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, and the car itself is not delivering either.
The Hungary aero upgrade gave a little boost, and the Zandvoort engine upgrade fell short of expectations. Fernando isn’t enjoying it, and at some point you have to ask if it’s worth the risk week after week." Alonso will turn 46 next summer, and the last driver to race in F1 at that age was Graham Hill in 1975. He became a father earlier this year and has hinted at other motorsport ambitions, including a possible return to the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin's trackside chief Mike Krack said in Madrid, "We have always been clear that the team wants to continue.
We respect Fernando's thoughts and the time he needs to decide. We are confident we can find a solution that works for everyone. He needs to make up his mind and then we move forward." The 2027 grid is largely set, with Max Verstappen signing a new Red Bull contract and Williams duo Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon staying put.
Only the second Red Bull seat, Racing Bulls, Haas and the upcoming Audi entry have yet to confirm line‑ups, meaning Aston Martin would have limited options to replace Alonso should he choose to retire. Krack added, "I will not discuss any Plan B.
We very much hope Fernando stays. He is vital for our team, for Formula 1, and for motorsport as a whole. It would be a tragedy to lose him, and I do not want to think about that scenario." As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple‑header of races from 24‑26 September, the sport continues to grapple with the balance between technical regulation, competitive equity, and the desires of its star drivers. Whether the FIA will adjust the ADUO rules or introduce other measures to help Honda and Aston Martin remains to be seen, but the conversation sparked by Alonso's remarks underscores the ongoing tension between innovation, cost control, and the need to keep the sport exciting for both participants and fans alike.