Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso insists that he his determination to increase his contract with Aston Martin has been influenced by the truth that Honda elected to hitch the Silverstone-based outfit whereas he additionally pins hopes on Adrian Newey’s arrival.
The Spaniard made his debut on the pinnacle of motorsport with Minardi in 2001 which was adopted by a 12 months that he spent with Renault as a take a look at driver.
The Oviedo-born driver returned to the game as a full-time race driver in 2003, clinching his first F1 victory in that season. With Renault arising with an progressive automotive for the 2005 F1 season, Alonso secured his first F1 title, beating McLaren’s Kimi Räikkönen. The following season noticed the Spaniard obtain fierce competitors from Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, however he was ready so as to add a second F1 title to his achievements.
Though he joined McLaren within the following season, he returned to Renault for the 2008 and 2009 F1 season earlier than heading to Ferrari. Regardless of securing a number of sensational victories with the fabled Maranello-based outfit and getting near additional F1 titles in 2010 and 2012, he elected to half methods with the workforce to hitch forces with McLaren once more in 2015.
Following a tough interval on the Woking-based outfit that noticed McLaren battle with its new engine accomplice, Honda, Alonso determined to go away System One on the finish of the 2018 season earlier than returning to the head of motorsport with Alpine for the 2021 season. The 2-time F1 world champion left the Enstone-based workforce after only a single season to hitch Aston Martin.
Requested whether or not he can see himself racing on the age of fifty, Alonso insisted that whereas he wouldn’t look that far forward, he can nonetheless think about a couple of extra years on the pinnacle of motorsport whereas he additionally revealed that the truth that Adrian Newey and Honda have joined Aston Martin additionally motivated him to increase his contract with the Silverstone-based outfit.
“Not at 50, however I do not know. That is why we saved open the chance as effectively. I wished to race this 12 months for positive and subsequent 12 months for positive due to the change of rules — and I wished to expertise the 2026 guidelines and Honda coming to the workforce. Then the shock that Adrian was becoming a member of the workforce a couple of months after that.
“There have been issues that have been interesting final 12 months after we sat collectively and negotiated the contract. However after 2026, I do not know. I’ll go season by season. I’ll see how I really feel, how motivated I’m. Now I’m very motivated, however I can not assure that for 3 or 4 years and compromise the workforce.
“So we stated let’s do it till the tip of 2026 after which from then on I believe I’ve an unbelievable relationship with Laurence and with Lance. We are able to sit and discuss actually between all of us and examine what’s finest for the workforce. I’ll all the time be able to assist the workforce with no matter they want. If it is behind the wheel, I’ll lengthen the contract in the event that they suppose that method and I really feel motivated. If it is in one other place, or I do not really feel quick sufficient, I would be the first one to lift my hand.
As hypothesis intensifies over Max Verstappen’s System 1 future, Alonso has additionally addressed the potential for teaming up with the reigning four-time world champion.
“I don’t suppose so, as I’ve a contract for subsequent 12 months. However I see the rumours as excellent for the workforce. As you stated earlier than, the world champion is usually linked with another groups and a attainable departure from Pink Bull. And the groups which are being talked about are Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari – as your colleague stated.
“So this reveals the challenge that we’re in and the longer term that this workforce has. As I stated final 12 months after I prolonged the contract, I’ll drive for so long as I really feel quick and aggressive and the workforce wants me behind the wheel. However my contract is for much longer than my racing profession, so I’ll stick with this workforce for a lot of, a few years in a distinct position.
“If meaning we will win a World Championship even after I’m not behind the wheel, I’ll nonetheless really feel very happy with the challenge.”
“Will probably be a troublesome mission to place all of it collectively in Qualifying however we are going to put the work in.”
Debrief Friday with the workforce. ⬇️
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Crew (@AstonMartinF1) April 18, 2025
Following Max Verstappen’s sensible drive on the Japanese Grand Prix that noticed the Dutchman take his sixty fourth victory, Alonso stated that it reminded him of his time at Ferrari when he additionally wanted to maintain a title combat alive in a median automotive.
“No, I believe nothing new to what I stated in Japan — and also you caught it now. I believe it jogs my memory somewhat little bit of my time in Ferrari in 2010 and 2012, combating for the championship till the final race with the third or fourth-fastest workforce, typically not even in Q3, successful races and issues like that.
“These are distinctive circumstances, not the normality. I believe I acquired credit score in these seasons for my efficiency. He receives credit score now as a result of nobody doubts that he is on prime of the sport. However it’s onerous. You can not afford any mistake.
“You can not get it unsuitable in qualifying, you can’t get caught in visitors, you can’t get an impeding — you can’t get something. If not, all the things is out of the field. So yeah, it is excessive, nevertheless it’s a problem,” concluded Alonso.
