Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president, is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1.
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The future of the two-time world champion is uncertain for the 2027 season, with his contract with Aston Martin ending at the end of 2026. No announcement is planned for this Spanish GP weekend and it will be necessary to wait a little longer to know the driver’s next steps.
It turns out that the head of the highest motorsport authority would not ‘accept’ a farewell of the Spaniard from Formula 1. “We cannot allow Fernando Alonso, a great champion, to leave just because of circumstances. That is not the way to leave the stage. He needs to succeed and then leave when he wants, not because he was forced to leave due to performance,” he pointed out.
Ben Sulayem also revealed that he had talks with Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin, about helping the British team improve. “I share the same concerns; the car is not performing well. I met with the owner, Lawrence, yesterday; I will implement changes and talk to him [Alonso] to try to make him change his mind. This is not acceptable.”
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“I saw him very down and said: ‘Fernando, I understand. It is not acceptable that you come to your own country as a two-time world champion and be in the last positions.’ We did something at the beginning of May, within legality, for the team and the engine, to seek improvements. Then I told him: ‘I will not tell you what we will do. Please tell me what you want, because you are the driver — tell me what you want us to do to improve these results’,” he continued.
“Suddenly, everything changes; I receive a call and then I have a meeting yesterday. We are here also to provide support,” he concluded.
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