Aston Martin insider makes remarkable Fernando Alonso future claim amid 2026 retirement rumours

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso is already the record holder for the most Grand Prix starts in Formula 1.

The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix will be Fernando Alonso’s 419th start, having made his debut back in 2001.

Several drivers on the grid weren’t even born when Alonso made his debut for Minardi that year, but he’s since gone on to become a two-time Formula 1 drivers’ champion.

Alonso took a sabbatical from F1 in 2018 after a torrid spell at McLaren, but his return with Alpine led to a move to Aston Martin.

Eight podiums in his first season for Lawrence Stroll’s team suggested he had finally made a correct move during a career notorious for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

However, the 2024 and 2025 campaigns have been rough for the Spaniard, and this year, Alonso has lamented his bad luck, which sees him sitting behind Lance Stroll in the championship with seven races to go.

Alonso’s contract expires at the end of 2026, and there has been plenty of speculation about how far beyond his 45th birthday he’ll continue in Formula 1, with retirement something Alonso has discussed as a possibility.

Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has now addressed the talk about Alonso’s future and claimed he might not even be close to walking away just yet.

Pedro de la Rosa suggests Fernando Alonso hasn’t ‘reached his peak’ at Aston Martin yet

De la Rosa was speaking on the Duralavita Podcast and was asked about how much longer he thinks Alonso will be racing.

He explained: “Will Alonso be his last year? I don’t know.

“Considering his quality today, his physical and mental state, his speed, which is the barometer of any athlete… He could continue in F1 as long as he wants.

“I don’t see him having reached his peak and declining. It depends on ourselves, on giving Fernando and Lance a competitive car.”

It’s remarkable that De la Rosa believes Alonso could continue to get better, but next year’s regulations changes might play their part.

That means the arrival of Adrian Newey could be essential, and the Spaniard has spotted something quite impressive from the designer since his move from Red Bull.

Pedro de la Rosa talks about the ‘Adrian Newey Effect’ since his move to Aston Martin

De la Rosa was asked about Aston Martin’s chances next season, and he continued: “We’re at a point in the season where every team now seems like they’re going to be world champions. Mercedes has the best engine… but why? Nobody knows. There’s no reference.

“We’re not going to be better than the others until we prove it. We have a giant mountain ahead of us, and we have to work hard.

“But the important thing is that Adrian Newey didn’t come to Aston Martin to retire.

“It’s because he sees the team’s potential. Newey is working… not 24 hours a day, because he sleeps. But he sleeps very little, I can guarantee you that, and it’s amazing.

“Any day you go to the factory at any time, you look and he’s in his office. Any time, I can even tell you at 2 in the morning. I’ve gone there at that time to pick up things and leave.

“The Adrian Newey Effect isn’t just a marketing hype. It’s a work effect, an inspiration effect, and it’s stretching and inspiring new generations. Everyone is very excited to work and learn with him.

“Newey came to the team because he sees the potential, because of the investment, which takes many years to materialise in wind tunnels, CFD testing, etc., the potential is there.”

Where does Fernando Alonso rank among Formula 1’s oldest-ever drivers?

If Alonso were to win his third world championship with Aston Martin next year, he still wouldn’t break Juan Manuel Fangio’s record for F1’s oldest title winner (46 years and 41 days).

In fact, even though Alonso will turn 45 midway through next season, he would still be five years too young to feature in the top 10 oldest drivers to ever start a Grand Prix.

The record is held by Monegasque driver Louis Chiron, who finished sixth at the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix at the age of 55 years and 292 days.

It’s very hard to see Alonso still racing in 2037 to break that record, and even the oldest race winner is probably out of his grasp.

Luigi Fagioli won the 1951 French Grand Prix for Alfa Romeo at 53 years old, but Alonso would find himself in the top five if Aston Martin create a race-winning car next year.