Recent contract extension “probably my last,” Alonso says

Fernando Alonso has admitted that his recent contract extension with Aston Martin, seeing the veteran remaining with the team until at least 2026, will most likely be his “last contract” in Formula 1.

After the Spaniard’s name was thrown around when discussing vacant seats at the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull, it was no surprise to see Aston Martin locking Fernando Alonso in for the “longest contract [he’s] ever signed” last Thursday. 

“You know, there were some talks with everyone,” Alonso confirmed in today’s Chinese Grand Prix press conference.

“I think it is normal for everyone in this moment, but they were just light conversation.”

The contract extension will see Alonso a key part of the Silverstone-based outfit until at least 2026, meaning he’ll still be racing at the age of 45 years old.

After being reminded of that fact, Alonso joked that Lewis Hamilton would soon be accompanying him in the over-40’s club.

“Lewis will be 40 next January, so at least I will not be the only 40+ that you will talk [about]!” Alonso said.

The #14 joined Aston Martin in 2023 on a multi-year deal, replacing Sebastian Vettel after the German announced his retirement in 2022. 

Despite being with the team and achieving many successes in the earlier half of 2023, it was not a clear-cut decision for Alonso. 

“First of all, it’s never an easy time when you have to make some decisions, especially right now, as for me it’s probably my last contract,” Alonso said.

“I wanted to make sure that it was the right decision, first of all, to keep racing in Formula 1, and to have the strength and the motivation to keep racing for a few more years, from my side.

Fernando Alonso walks the track with his engineers ahead of the Chinese GP. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

“And then, after that, just making sure that the team has the targets and the goals for the next few years to be ambitious and to try to keep getting better and better.

“It was, I think, a very happy decision for me.”

Looking ahead, Alonso listed many enticing factors that have kept him in the green machines for the years to come.

With the new regulations coming into play in 2026, the Spaniard is confident in his team’s concept moving forward, with Honda also joining Aston Martin as an engine supplier following the end of their customer deal with Mercedes. 

Internally, new-wave sustainability plans and updated facilities are also coming into contention from 2026, adding motivation for Alonso’s final extension in F1.

“Obviously, extremely proud to represent Aston Martin for the next few years, we started the journey last year, and in a very good way and we keep on working. 

“I think, you know, with the new regulations in 2026, there is going to be a possibility for everyone to mix the cars a little bit and have an opportunity. 

“Obviously, we will be with Honda, we will be the only team with the power unit from Honda, which obviously, it is a little bit different than being a customer engine now with Mercedes, so hopefully we have a little bit of an improvement there. 

“Also, I think with Aramco, the biofuels and sustainability that will come into 2026, maybe we have a little bit of an opportunity there as well. 

“The team is just getting better and better – new facilities, new campus, new wind tunnel coming this summer, so, you have a lot of things in place to be a very powerful team in the future and I wanted to be part of it.”

For now, however, Alonso will focus on this weekend’s outing at the Shanghai International Circuit, a destination the Spaniard will have the upper hand at having competed in the Chinese Grand Prix on many, many occasions. 

Action in Shanghai kicks off at 1:30 PM, AEST on Friday, with a sole practice session opening F1’s return to China for the first Sprint weekend of the season.

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