Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin F1 Team has clarified that he wants to have complete control over his future in Formula 1 beyond 2024. Despite being 42 years old, Alonso has proven to be one of the top drivers on the current grid, achieving eight podium finishes in his first season with Aston Martin. However, as he enters the final year of his contract with the team, Alonso acknowledges that he must carefully consider whether he wants to continue in the sport. The last time Alonso won a race in F1 was in May 2013, and he has stated that any contract extension would depend on his potential to win races again.
When asked about the timeline for making a decision, Alonso responded, “I mentioned during my recent interviews that I would address this matter in the summer. This way, I can avoid answering the same question repeatedly for a few months. The situation hasn’t changed much, and it won’t change in the coming weeks or races. I don’t want to wait until the summer, as it wouldn’t be fair to me or the team if they have to explore other options. However, I also don’t want to rush into a decision while my focus is not on next year. Currently, my mind is fully engaged in testing the car and analyzing the performance after the initial events. Thinking about next year at this moment feels premature.”
There have been rumors linking Alonso to Mercedes as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari. Additionally, with the recent tension at Red Bull following the investigation into Christian Horner, Alonso has been mentioned as a possible option if Max Verstappen decides to leave the team. Nevertheless, Alonso has made it clear that he will not wait for other drivers’ decisions to determine his racing future in 2025.
“I have always been independent in my choices. Sometimes it has worked in my favor, and other times it hasn’t. I have decided when to leave a team, when to join a team, and when to retire from Formula 1. I made the choice to come back as well. Now, I will determine what I do next year. I will not follow the actions of others and let them dictate my fate. I will make my own decisions, regardless of the outcome. That’s just who I am,” Alonso stated.
Aston Martin has commenced the latest season at the bottom of the pack, aiming to catch up to the dominant Red Bull team, who have achieved consecutive 1-2 finishes so far.
After a challenging race in Bahrain, Alonso managed to convert his fourth-place starting position in Saudi Arabia into a fifth-place finish, surpassing both Mercedes drivers in the process.
Although Mercedes initially showed promise with their revised car, the German team has now revealed that the W15 has a significant underlying issue.
When asked about the possibility of staying with Aston Martin instead of pursuing the available Mercedes seat for 2025, Alonso responded, “Yes, I prefer not to comment as my words could be misinterpreted. I will wait until I make a further decision before sharing my thoughts.
“As I mentioned during the car launch, if I do decide to continue racing, my first choice will be Aston Martin. They gave me a valuable opportunity two years ago, and I am grateful for that. If we reach an agreement, that will be my decision.
“If we cannot come to an agreement with Aston, I will explore other options, but that will be a secondary opportunity.”
Alonso dismissed the idea that his desire for complete control over his future is a result of age and experience in Formula One.
“When I was young and won my first World Championship in 2005, I signed with McLaren a year before moving there,” he emphasized.
“I was only 24 at the time, so age didn’t change anything. It has always been the same for me.
“Formula One was not my main priority. I was racing in go-karts and thought I would be a go-kart mechanic for the rest of my life. Formula One didn’t seem appealing to me. It felt out of reach, considering I was just an ordinary guy from the north of Spain, with no real connection to Formula One.
“I enjoy all forms of motorsport and driving any type of car. Carcross, Dakar rally, Endurance, IndyCar. Formula One is simply the pinnacle of motorsport, with its incredible cars and the opportunity to learn from highly skilled and professional individuals. It’s quite addictive.
“I still don’t see myself as part of this environment. I’m much more down-to-earth than the elite in this field.”