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Fernando Alonso has revealed that he is not ready to retire from F1 at the end of 2026, telling journalists that he hopes the current campaign is not his ‘last season’ in the sport.
Now in his 23rd season of racing in Formula 1 at 44 years old, Fernando Alonso’s future in F1 has been one of the biggest talking points during the early stages of the 2026 campaign.
Aston Martin’s inability to give the two-time world champion a competitive car has only fuelled the rumours of an ultimate exit for Alonso, but he has now revealed his desire to continue competing in F1 for at least one more season.
Prove us wrong, F1 will never quite recover when two-time world champion Fernando Alonso hangs up his helmet…
Alonso took a sabbatical from F1 at the end of 2018, which allowed Lando Norris a rookie drive at McLaren for 2019. The F1 legend then returned to the sport in 2021 with Alpine, but he has failed to reach the same heights as his world championship-winning campaigns.
However, Alonso’s passion for F1 has never been in question, and he continues to be one of the best drivers on the grid well into his 40s.
‘I don’t feel that time has come’ – Fernando Alonso on his future in F1
During an appearance at the Automobile Club de Monaco on Saturday, Alonso dropped a bombshell on the journalists in attendance.
The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco is taking place in the principality this weekend, which has attracted a multitude of legends linked with single-seater racing.
Of course, one of the topics that cropped up with Alonso regarded his future in the pinnacle of motorsport, and he was candid in his responses.
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Asked whether he may opt against renewing his deal with Aston Martin at the end of the term, the Spaniard replied via La Sexta, “I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I love what I do, I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years old, and now I’m 44. It’s almost a lifetime.”
“Stopping racing will be a tough decision, and it will be hard to accept. Time will tell, I’ll feel it when it comes.”
Alonso then followed his words with a statement on his current sentiments regarding his future. He added, “I don’t feel that time has come; I feel competitive and motivated. I feel happy when I’m driving. I hope it’s not my last season.”
Fernando Alonso will be a key player in turning Aston Martin’s F1 fortunes around
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Aston Martin will continue to put their faith in the 44-year-old, given his status as the oldest F1 driver in the sport’s modern era.
However, his vast experience across a multitude of different constructors and engine manufacturers still makes him one of the best, if not the best, drivers on the grid when it comes to car development.
In Aston Martin’s case, they need all the help they can get. The British constructor has suffered from a disastrous start to the 2026 season due to their problems with Honda’s power unit, but the Spaniard’s presence could be the key to turning their fortunes around.
Alonso shared his amazement at working alongside Adrian Newey during the early stages of the AMR26’s development, highlighting how excited he was to get behind the wheel of a car with the design genius’s DNA.
While 2026 may already be a write-off for him, 2027 could offer him the perfect opportunity to finally claim that third world title that has eluded him for nearly 20 years now.
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