Will Alonso Stay? F1 Legend Expects to Make Decision by Summer

Fernando Alonso says he expects to make a decision in the summer months about his Formula 1 future post-2026, and whether he extends his record-breaking career.

Two-time champion Alonso is the most experienced driver in history, with 428 grands prix under his belt, and is the eldest driver on the grid, aged 44.

Alonso is out of contract after the end of 2026 and says that while discussions have yet to take place, owing to Aston Martin’s ongoing struggles, he has to weigh up several factors.

“I know one point around summer or right after summer I need to make a decision, and I didn’t sit with myself yet,” Alonso said at the Miami Grand Prix.

“I need to speak with my family as well, with my people first and decide what to do next year.

“I’m very relaxed about it, if I continue racing I think it will be a better season than this one with the project in year two, if I stop racing, I know that I will race in other series.

“As I said many times, Dakar will be a possibility, if one day I can win in endurance racing, F1, and rally/cross country that will probably be unprecedented, that’s something appealing.”

Aston Martin’s difficulties in 2026 means that Alonso has been rooted towards the rear of the grid, with aspirations of fighting for front-running positions firmly cast to the bin for now.

Conversely, Aston Martin’s woes mean that the team is not an attractive proposition for any A-list driver, meaning that—with one seat effectively reserved for Lance Stroll—Alonso is unlikely to face any serious competition for the seat.

But he says he will only remain in Formula 1 if he feels he can still operate at the top of his game.

“I’m very relaxed, happy with my career, happy with what I was able to live and experience and what the sport gave me.” Alonso said.

“Since I came back in 2021 has been a gift to keep racing and feel competitive, I want to leave the sport once day when I feel fast, I don’t want to leave when I’ve been beaten by everyone and I feel slow and I make mistakes.

“I know I’m at my 100 per cent now and I want to leave when I feel that way.”