Aston Martin’s Formula One team has successfully solidified its future with star driver Fernando Alonso, who has agreed to an extension through to at least the end of 2026. This deal defines not just a continuing relationship but a broader partnership that could influence the team long after Alonso steps back from active racing.
The 2-time champion’s decision comes after a period of contemplation and negotiation, during which he also entertained potential offers from other top teams, including Mercedes and Red Bull, and retirement. Despite the allure of these opportunities, Alonso’s choice to remain with Aston Martin was driven by a mix of professional satisfaction and personal loyalty.
“It was easy. I needed a few races or few weeks to really think about myself, if I was ready to commit for more years in Formula One, because the calendars are just a little bit more intense now, the car as well, the commitments,” he said, quoted by ESPN.
Alonso’s commitment extends beyond the racetrack, with him valuing the achievements made with Aston Martin since he joined in 2023 replacing Sebastian Vettel, highlighting rapid progress and substantial success during his first year with the Silverstone squad.
“My love for Formula One and my love for Aston Martin didn’t change, but I just wanted this time to really speak with myself and make the decision and the commitment. Formula One takes all your time, all your energy. You have to give up basically everything in life to keep racing, and I wanted just to speak with myself if I was ready to do so.”
He continued, admitting that he wasn’t afraid to window shop:
“I did speak with other people as well, yes. I think it’s normal when you enter negotiations, you need to balance a little bit what is the market. You need to listen to everyone else as well. It’s just a normal procedure, and I think it’s fair to listen to all the proposals and see how the market moves. I don’t know, in my head, Aston was the logical thing for me to do,” he admitted
“At the end, it was also the best and the most, I felt the most wanted in Aston Martin. All the other conversations were just light, and never came to any conclusions or something like that. Maybe more time was needed, all these kinds of things. While in Aston, it was a clear desire to work together, which was the same that I had. That’s why it came very easy.”
Part of the renewed contract includes a partnership with Honda, an alliance that brings its own historical weight due to past challenges during Alonso’s stint with McLaren. However, Alonso is optimistic about this rekindled relationship, praising Honda’s recent successes in the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Honda is definitely a manufacturer that has so much success in Formula One and not [just] Formula One in the world of motorsport that is always a company that I respected, a company that it didn’t work for us in McLaren, in the years that they came to the sport.
“But right after that they fix all the problems and they are currently dominating the sport. They’ve been world champion for the last few years. So I think they will have a baseline for 2026 that is already very strong.”
Alonso envisions his role with Aston Martin to evolve over time, potentially transitioning to more strategic and developmental roles within the team as his racing career winds down.
“It’s a lifetime project in a way for me, this is the longest contract I ever signed in my career. This is something that will keep me linked with Aston for many, many years to come. Let’s see which role, let’s see how many more years I will drive.
“But even after driving, I will use 25-plus years of experience in Formula One, plus another 10 or 15 outside F1, so nearly 40 years’ motorsport experience in the benefit of a team that gave me this opportunity now in this moment in my career.”
Will the driver be taking on a relationship with Aston Martin even after he hangs up his racing suit?
“Probably, yes, but I don’t know when I will stop driving. If I keep driving many, many, many years, I signed a contract that I will be in the car. If I stop a little bit earlier than the contract driving, I will be in a different role, yes.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.