Fernando Alonso reveals decision timeline on F1 future despite ‘pressure’ from Aston Martin

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Ahead of his 23rd season in Formula 1, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has addressed when he will make a decision on his future in the sport.

With 425 Grand Prix starts under his belt, no one else comes close to the level of experience that Fernando Alonso has accrued over his lengthy tenure on the Formula 1 grid.

In fact, the 44-year-old made his F1 debut before more than a third of current drivers on the grid were even born, but his future in the sport is now in question as he prepares for yet another 24-race calendar year.

Alonso addressed his future during the latter stages of the 2025 campaign, hinting that he may call it quits on his F1 career if he is presented with a competitive car this year.

The Spaniard clearly wants to see if he is still capable of succeeding in strong machinery, with it also being understood that it may be possible for him to continue racing in 2027 if Aston Martin struggles again this year.

However, a recent interview with Diario AS has shed some more light on the situation.

• READ MORE: Jenson Button explains how he plans to help Fernando Alonso this season after joining Aston Martin

Prove me wrong: The end of the 2026 F1 season is the perfect time for Fernando Alonso to retire 👋

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Fernando Alonso says he wants to ‘wait until September’ to make a decision on F1 future

During his interview at Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 season launch event, Alonso was asked when we can expect him to decide whether he will still be racing in the 2027 season.

He replied, “I don’t know, I would wait. I think this year we have to wait a little longer because the progression and development of the cars is going to be incredible this year.

“Improving by a tenth or two when you bring a package of improvements is like improving by eight tenths or a second, so I think that throughout the season we are going to see big changes in performance from the teams. So, making a decision in April or May could be right or wrong in September.

“It depends on how the developments go. So, the longer you can wait, the better. And that would be my intention, to maybe wait until September or so to make a decision. But anyway, we’ll see. I don’t think it’s just about performance.

“I also have to see how I feel, how motivated I am, how much the assets weigh on me. The events, the marketing, all these things you do off the track, and also see how motivated I am. I think the team is going to improve a lot at the beginning of the year, I mean, we’re going to go from less to more.

“I clearly think that’s going to be motivating in terms of the possibility of continuing. Seeing that the car will improve and we want to improve the results, but to be able to make a 100% sure decision, we have to wait as long as possible.

“Maybe in the spring they’ll say, ‘I need to know if you want to continue or not, because I need to know what other drivers are on the market and I can’t wait for you to make a decision and then find that no one else is available.’

“Then I’ll also be under pressure from the team to make a decision as quickly as possible.”

• READ MORE: Aston Martin facing ‘big asterisk’ over 2026 F1 car as Honda engine is not their only issue

History in the making: Adrian Newey’s first Aston Martin design, the AMR26, is here🔥

Is this the car that finally changes Aston Martin’s trajectory? ⬇️

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Fernando Alonso explains why he prefers to be much older than his F1 rivals

The prospect of who will benefit the most from the new regulations has also been a hot topic over the winter break, with the most intelligent drivers on the grid expected to excel.

Alonso is one of the most ‘intellectually gifted’ competitors in F1, and the Spaniard has stated that he wouldn’t trade his experience for anything as his career nears an end.

In his interview with the Spanish publication, he added, “I’ve always said that if this were athletics or tennis, I’d rather be 25 than 40.

“In the world of motor racing, if you’re physically fit when it comes to driving, you don’t have any physical problems.

“I much prefer to be 40 than 25, because I’ve raced on all the circuits, I know all the circuits, I know a lot about the regulations and about energy changes like the ones we’re going to have this year. I think I’d rather be in my position than be a rookie this year.”