Aston Martin ambassador stunned by what Fernando Alonso said about his motivation at Monaco GP

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Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has shared a private conversation he had with Fernando Alonso inside the Monaco Grand Prix paddock, which left the former F1 driver stunned.

At 44 years old, it’s clear that Fernando Alonso will not be on the grid for the same amount of time as his much younger rivals, and a retirement for the two-time world champion has been an ongoing narrative throughout the 2026 campaign.

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It is also clear that the Spaniard is still at the very top of his game. Despite being at the wheel of backmarker machinery, Alonso has flexed his skillset by continuing his streak of outqualifying Lance Stroll at every race weekend since the 2024 British GP.

Of course, experience plays a big factor in Alonso’s ability to remain at the top, but Stroll isn’t exactly a rookie driver, either. The real key behind the 32-time Grand Prix winner’s longevity is his motivation.

• READ MORE: Fernando Alonso showed his first signs of ‘exhaustion’ towards Aston Martin at the Monaco Grand Prix

Pedro de la Rosa was left stunned by Fernando Alonso’s motivation at Monaco GP

During an interview with Mundo Deportivo after the conclusion of the weekend’s proceedings in Monte Carlo, Aston Martin ambassador and former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa was asked to recall a moment with Alonso that showed his fierce competitive spirit.

De la Rosa instantly recounted a conversation that he had with the Aston Martin driver ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix that left him taken aback.

“We’re in Monaco, in a tough spot,” he began. “We really have a very difficult car to drive, and we got here, [on Thursday], I asked him if he was looking forward to it.

“He replied, ‘I’m really looking forward to driving here this weekend.’ And I thought, ‘Wow, 44 years old, we’re going to be fighting with Cadillac, we have to be realistic until the upgrades arrive. And we have a two-time world champion here who’s eager to drive this car here.’

“I take my hat off to him, I mean, I really do. Because I think that says it all.”

Alonso’s keenness to get out on track was showcased by his ability to score Aston Martin’s very first point of the campaign, finishing P10 after a post-race penalty was applied to Sergio Perez ahead of him.

• READ MORE: Fernando Alonso says F1 drivers already can’t wait for new engines in 2030

The strong result came after Alonso shared concerns over the AMR26’s engine braking, the same issue that was suspected to be behind Stroll’s shunt at turn 18 during the latter stages of the Grand Prix.

It was an impressive 78-lap grueller for the 44-year-old, but it once again showed that a decision on his future in the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport is still in his own hands.