Fernando Alonso, the Spanish driver for the Aston Martin F1 Team, has recently signed a new contract extension with the British racing team. This decision comes as Formula 1 prepares for a regulation reset in 2026. Alonso admitted that he had doubts about continuing in the sport due to the increased strain caused by the expansion of the race calendar to 24 events. However, after evaluating the non-racing responsibilities and considering the support of his family, Alonso decided to continue racing. He explained that his decision was not solely based on his passion for racing, but also on the challenges of traveling and fulfilling various commitments throughout the season. Alonso acknowledged that the pre-season activities, such as photoshoots, media events, and car launches, require a significant amount of energy, especially at this stage of his career. He emphasized the importance of enjoying what he does and concluded that if he still loves racing after going through the demanding marketing and media period, he sees no reason to stop. Alonso’s determination to clarify his feelings about continuing in Formula 1 was evident in the first few races of the season.
Alonso also revealed that he was eager to witness the competitive position of Aston Martin in the early stages of 2024 as he pursues his elusive third F1 championship. The team, based in Silverstone, performed well last season with Alonso securing six podium finishes in the first eight races. However, they slipped to fifth place in the championship standings. Despite this, Alonso is encouraged by the team’s aggressive development plan.
In addition, Alonso expressed his desire to assess their performance. He acknowledged that there are no guarantees, even if he feels satisfied and remains with Aston Martin. If things do not go well, if the car becomes difficult to drive and the team fails to make progress, he may consider exploring other options. However, he believes that they are very close to the top four teams, excluding Red Bull. He expects some races to be more competitive than others.
Alonso also highlighted the continuous upgrades the team has introduced to the car in the first four races. Each race saw the introduction of new parts, which he found encouraging and pleasing. He believes that the team is making progress, although he acknowledges that Formula 1 is a demanding sport and environment. He emphasized the significant improvement the team has made in a relatively short period of time, from a small building to being on par with top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes.
Alonso emphasized his desire to be a part of this ambitious project. He admitted to having preliminary discussions with other F1 teams before deciding to renew his contract with Aston Martin. Retirement was never a serious consideration for him. He envisions himself continuing to race, even if it is in other categories such as the Dakar rally. The thought of a life without a steering wheel in his hands is unimaginable for him in the near future. He had almost complete confidence that he would continue racing next year, making retirement an unlikely option.