Three drivers Aston Martin must consider signing if Fernando Alonso decides to retire after 2026

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Aston Martin will eventually have to prepare for when Fernando Alonso decides to retire from Formula 1.

Fernando Alonso made his debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix for Minardi, qualifying 19th and finishing 12th, two laps down on eventual winner Michael Schumacher.

Fast forward more than 400 race starts, and Alonso is preparing to race for Aston Martin 25 years after his F1 introduction.

Alonso’s current contract runs until the end of 2026, meaning he’ll get to experience the beginning of another new set of Formula 1 regulations.

However, there’s a chance that the Spaniard does finally decide to retire from Formula 1 for good at the end of next year.

He’s now addressed this and what it will take to finally stop the two-time driver’s champion from taking to the grid one last time…

Fernando Alonso admits he has ‘thought’ about F1 retirement after the 2026 season

In an interview with Aston Martin’s official website, Alonso was asked whether the team being competitive next year would change his mind about retirement.

Adrian Newey has come on board, and Honda will be exclusively building power units for Aston Martin from next year.

Alonso replied: “I have thought about it…

“But I will leave the decision for next year, and also how the team is in that moment and what they need from me.

“I’m open to helping the team as much as I can. It’s not about me now. I don’t need to keep racing. I’m just here to help Aston Martin become World Champions, whether that’s with me behind the wheel or without me behind the wheel; that’s the main purpose of this second chapter of my career.

“And yeah, I said I thought about it. If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop because, as you said, I’ve been chasing a competitive car and a competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that, I think it’s a very good way to close my career.

“Let’s say that if we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”

Should Alonso decide that enough is enough at the end of next year, especially if he finally achieves that elusive 33rd Grand Prix victory, here are three drivers that Andy Cowell and Lawrence Stroll must consider signing for 2027.

The obvious choice – Max Verstappen

The most obvious driver that Aston Martin should target when Alonso retires is Max Verstappen.

Verstappen has been linked with Aston Martin in the past, and if Stroll is willing to spend whatever it takes to hire the best staff and build the best facilities, then he may as well sign the best driver.

Red Bull will be well aware that if they don’t offer Verstappen a championship-challenging car next year, then he would easily move on.

Aston Martin would be mad not to throw their hat in the ring to try and lure him away from Red Bull.

The next championship contender – George Russell

If Verstappen does leave Red Bull and Aston Martin can’t sign him, then George Russell might suddenly be on the market.

Aston Martin have also been interested in Russell, when it looked like he might lose his seat to Verstappen at the end of this season.

The opportunity to sign a high-performing British driver would certainly appeal to Aston Martin, and this season has shown that Russell is among the best on the grid.

He’s never had the chance to fight for a championship, but if he’s pushed out by Mercedes to make space for Verstappen, Aston Martin should be near the top of his list of next destinations.

The outside shout – Gabriel Bortoleto

The Alonso influence could see Aston Martin consider his great protégé, Gabriel Bortoleto, going into the 2027 season.

F1 Oversteer understands that Alonso is making plans for Bortoleto to potentially replace him when he retires, and the early signs are that the Brazilian is made for Formula 1.

After a slow start at Sauber, Bortoleto has started to shine, and elite qualifier Nico Hulkenberg has been firmly put in his place by the 20-year-old this season.

If he continues at the current trajectory, plenty of teams will be interested in hiring Bortoleto if Audi don’t live up to expectations on their Formula 1 debut.