Jenson Button thinks Fernando Alonso will remain in F1 ‘beyond 2026’ for one simple reason

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Jenson Button believes Fernando Alonso will continue to race in F1 “beyond 2026” for one simple reason: so the Spaniard’s newborn son can see him race in the pinnacle of single-seater motorsports.

The two-time F1 world champion is currently in the midst of his 23rd season as a full-time F1 driver, and has shown no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 45th birthday at the end of July.

While Alonso is expected to continue racing on four wheels well into the coming years, his future in F1 has been shrouded in mystery as of late.

Fernando Alonso won the next F1 race the last time Spain won the FIFA World Cup 🏆 What would have to happen for him to repeat it in 2026?

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Alonso wants to remain in F1 for next year, but the trajectory of the sport’s new-for-2026 technical regulations has forced him to reconsider. Aston Martin’s disastrous start to the current campaign certainly hasn’t helped, either.

Still, Button is confident that the Oviedo-born driver will remain on the grid beyond the current campaign.

• READ MORE: Fernando Alonso hints that 2026 regulations could drive him out of Formula 1 for good

Jenson Button says Fernando Alonso wants his son to see him competing in F1

In the most recent entry of Jenson’s Journal, the 2009 world champion recalled his maiden victory at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix on the eve of this year’s edition of the race.

Button began by highlighting how “20 years disappear in the blink of an eye” on the anniversary of one of his most memorable race wins, before revealing his sentiments towards the birth of his own children coming after he hung up his racing overalls.

“The only slightly sad thing is that my kids have never seen me race a Formula 1 car,” the 15-time F1 Grand Prix winner said.

“They know what I did. They’ve seen the videos and the photographs, but it’s different from standing at the side of the circuit, hearing the cars, feeling the atmosphere and experiencing it for yourself. That’s something they’ll never quite get to share with me.”

Due to this, Button sees why Alonso would want to continue racing as his son, who was born in March this year, grows up, adding, “It probably explains why I understand Fernando when he talks about wanting his son to see him race.

“When you’ve devoted your life to something, there’s a natural desire for the people you love most to experience it too – not through old footage or stories, but in the moment, while you’re still doing it. Maybe that’s another reason he’ll decide to keep racing beyond 2026.”

• READ MORE: Nigel Mansell has found one F1 driver absolutely ‘heartbreaking’ to watch this year

Hopefully, by the time Alonso’s child is old enough to take in a race weekend, the Spaniard is in more competitive machinery. Of course, the Aston Martin ace may be approaching his 50s at that point.

Still, Alonso would be quite a few years short of claiming the record for the oldest F1 driver in history. That honour goes to Louis Chiron, who took part and finished P6 in the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix at 55 years and 292 days old.