Fernando Alonso and his future remain a topic in Formula 1, but Adrian Newey believes the Spaniard will continue defending Aston Martin. The renowned designer and head of the British team stated he is confident in the two-time champion’s stay, despite the speculations that gained strength during the current season break.
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Alonso’s contract with the team ends at the end of 2026, and the Spanish driver has three possibilities for the future: renew with Aston Martin, end his F1 career, or seek a new destination in the paddock. The expectation is that the decision will be made in the coming weeks, before the championship resumes at the Dutch GP.
Doubts increased after Alonso’s own statements during the Barcelona GP weekend. On that occasion, he said that ‘this is probably my last race in Barcelona in Formula 1,’ and explained that he approaches each stage of 2026 as if it could be his last. Rumors also emerged linking the Spaniard to a return to Alpine, the team where he won his two F1 titles, although he himself downplayed these speculations.
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Aston Martin’s difficult moment in 2026 also fueled questions about the experienced driver’s future. The team is only in tenth place in the constructors’ championship with just one point, earned precisely by Alonso. Problems with the Honda power unit and the chassis’s below-expected performance made the start of the year difficult, although the Hungarian GP was considered the most promising weekend of the season, thanks to an upgrade package that improved the car’s pace and took Alonso to Q2 for the first time in 2026. Honda is still preparing a new evolution of the power unit for the Dutch GP.
When asked at the Hungaroring about the importance of keeping Alonso on the team, Newey highlighted the Spaniard’s contribution on and off the track: “Obviously, Fernando is an incredible driver. He brings a lot to the team, both through feedback and his ability. For us, of course, that is important. I am quite confident that Fernando is enjoying his time with us and that we will continue our relationship,” he added.
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