Fernando Alonso has not yet decided whether he will continue as a driver in Formula 1 next season. At 45 years old, the two-time world champion stated in Zandvoort that his stay beyond 2026 will mainly depend on how much he is still enjoying himself behind the wheel.
Read more F1: Verstappen leaves door open for longer contract extension at Red Bull
The lack of performance from Aston Martin this season is one of the factors in the scenario, but the Spaniard saw positive signs in the last race before the break, in Hungary. With the updates on the AMR26, the team left the back of the grid and returned to fighting for positions in the midfield pack, close to the points zone.
The Spaniard explained that the regulations will remain practically the same next season, with only a small change related to the combustion engine power balance: “The regulations will remain. We know the regulations, we know that next year it will be the same. There is a small adjustment in the combustion engine power, but the regulations remain the same, so it depends on me if I want to have more or less fun,” he said.
When asked when he intends to make a decision, Alonso admitted he has not set a deadline yet: “I don’t know. I just got back from vacation, so I will see in the next days, weeks or months. We’ll see,” he said. The Spaniard added that he should talk with Lawrence Stroll and Adrian Newey in the coming weeks, either at meetings during the F1 calendar or on his next visit to the factory to work on the simulator.
Read more F1: Stella details McLaren’s difficulties in exploiting Mercedes engine
Despite the uncertainty about continuing to race in F1, Alonso assured that he intends to remain connected to Aston Martin in the long term: “Formula 1 is, was and always will be my life, and my heart is here. I will be in this team in one role or another in the long term,” he continued, explaining that he could continue as a driver or take another position if he could contribute more that way.
The Spaniard also acknowledged that he still needs the competition and adrenaline of racing. Besides the dream of winning a third F1 title, Alonso mentioned the possibility of racing the Indianapolis 500 again and seeking a victory in the Dakar Rally, but admitted he does not know if Aston Martin will reach the level necessary to fight for the championship while he is still behind the wheel in Formula 1.
Read more F1: Red Bull joked about Verstappen’s supposed departure before the official announcement
