44-Year-Old Fernando Alonso Breaks Silence on future F1 exit

Fernando Alonso opened up on his retirement plans from Formula 1 as he faces a disappointing season with Aston Martin in 2025.

44-Year-Old Fernando Alonso Breaks Silence on future F1 exit

Fernando Alonso (via Getty)

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Fernando Alonso is currently the oldest driver on the F1 grid. The Asturian has been racing in the pinnacle of motorsport since the 2001 season, with a hiatus in 2019 and 2020. Alonso has a contract with Aston Martin that runs until the end of the 2026 season, with an extension reportedly being on the table. Despite racing in Formula 1 for more than two decades, the 44-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down as he talks about his exit from the sport.

Fernando Alonso had always remained open on his F1 plans and if and when he decided to exit the sport. Alonso is a racer through and through and has made great strides in various categories of motorsport. The Asturian can also win the motorsport’s Triple Crown if he could win the Indy 500 later on. The 2025 season has been difficult for the veteran as he has failed to achieve any notable results so far.

As such, Fernando Alonso has once again talked about his retirement from the sport. The Asturian highlighted that he wished to leave the sport in the right way, while considering himself to be the best. Moreover, he wanted the people outside the sport to consider him the best at the sport as well. The 44-year-old clearly mentioned that he did not want to retire because he felt that he was showing signs of losing talent.

Speaking on retiring at the end of the 2026 season, Fernando Alonso asserted that he would enjoy the next year to the fullest and take Formula 1 year by year. This could mean both ways, but the veteran is unlikely to call it quits anytime soon. Alonso declared that he wanted to leave the sport on a high note, possibly after achieving his coveted 33rd win in Formula 1, or perhaps even a third driver’s title.

When I leave Formula 1, I want to leave it the way I am now, considering myself the best. And for people outside, at least 30 or 40%, to still consider me the best. I don’t want to leave because I’ve lost my skills. I’m going to enjoy next year and take it year by year. But yes, I want to leave on a high note.

Fernando Alonso told the Spanish outlet AS

Fernando Alonso recalls ‘thinking’ about retiring in 2018

Fernando Alonso left Formula 1 after the 2018 season to pursue bigger challenges in the various motorsport categories, only to return to F1 in 2021. Alonso made his mark in various categories such as the Dakar Rally, Indy500, WEC, and others. The Asturian recalled his thoughts while leaving the pinnacle of motorsport back in 2018 and how he did not feel done with the sport back then.

Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)

Speaking on leaving the sport in 2018, Fernando Alonso recalled that he had thought about leaving back then, as his retirement from Formula 1. The Asturian still visited multiple racing venues ahead of his retirement being announced. Alonso reminisced that he couldn’t give up the pits, tracks, and hotels that he would never see again in his life if he quit the sport. As such, he couldn’t give it up fully and ultimately returned in 2021.

I thought about it in 2018. I do remember that feeling when I went to Japan, and I was already flirting with the idea of ​​it being my last year. So I tried to enjoy the drivers’ parades when I left the paddock on Sundays. They’re pits, tracks, or hotels that I’ll never see again in my life.

Fernando Alonso noted

Alonso is hoping to achieve a much better start to the 2026 season and emerge as a serious contender for race wins and potentially the driver’s title. For now, the Asturian will have to finish the year on the best possible note and look forward to the coming season. Aston Martin must work desperately on their pace and ensure that such issues do not appear again for the 44-year-old.

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