Alonso stays with Aston Martin in “lifetime project”

The never-ending career of Fernando Alonso will carry on until at least the end of 2026 after signing a new deal to stick with Aston Martin.

On Friday morning AEDT Aston Martin ended the speculation about the future of Alonso by announcing a multi-year contract extension.

The new deal means the #14 will remain in British racing green for four years since making the switch from Alpine last year, but more impressively the Spaniard will still be in Formula 1 two decades after his last world title back in 2006.

Alonso made his F1 debut all the way back in 2001 for Minardi and since then has amassed 381 starts, 106 podiums and 32 wins with the only break his brief spell on the sidelines from 2019-2021.

The two-time world champion now 42 labelled the new deal as a “lifetime project” suggesting more involvement away from F1 and after his Grand Prix racing days are over.

“It’s a lifetime project in a way for me, this is the longest contract I ever signed in my career,” Alonso said.

“This is something that will keep me linked with Aston for many, many years to come. Let’s see which role, let’s see how many more years I will drive.

Fernando Alonso racing the Aston Martin AMR24 during the Japanese GP at Suzuka.Photo by Zak Mauger / LAT Images

“But even after driving, I will use 25-plus years of experience in Formula 1, plus another 10 or 15 outside F1, so nearly 40 years’ motorsport experience in the benefit of a team that gave me this opportunity now in this moment in my career.

“So, this is also very appealing for me and I’m extremely motivated for the next years to come.”

Interestingly the new deal also means Alonso and Honda will make reunite.

The Spaniard infamously labelled Honda as a “GP2 engine” during the tough times when the Japanese manufacturer and McLaren were together from 2014-2017.

Whilst recognising those years “did not work out” Alonso revealed it was “motivating” to work with Honda again and hopefully enjoy more success.

“Part of the decision to stay at Aston is because they are with Honda for 2026. It was very, very important to me,” Alonso said.

“Honda is definitely a manufacturer that has so much success in Formula 1 and in the world of motorsport, It was always a company that I respected.

Fernando Alonso last drove a Honda engined F1 car with McLaren, where he was derailed by a host of technical issues between 2015 and 2017

“It didn’t work for us at McLaren in the years that they came to the sport, but right after that they fixed all the problems and they are currently dominating the sport.

“I think they will have a baseline for 2026 that is already very strong, but also they have the capacity in Sakura of building something really nice.

“After the experience with McLaren-Honda and IndyCar as well, we have now the opportunity to work again together. That for me is a true pleasure.”

Alonso sticking with Aston Martin knocks out domino out of the ever-evolving F1 driver market with seats at Red Bull and Mercedes still up for grabs as all eyes now to turn to another Spaniard in Carlos Sainz.

Alonso sits eighth in the championship being one of five drivers to score points in all four Grands Prix so far, fresh from an impressive drive to sixth in Suzuka.

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