Fernando Alonso Sets Out Conditions for Continuing in Formula 1

Fernando Alonso is currently the oldest and longest-running driver on the F1 grid. The two-time champion has a contract with Aston Martin, which is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. Though Alonso has not achieved another extension, he isn’t worried about his continuation. The 44-year-old reveals the terms that needed to be met if he were to continue racing in the pinnacle of motorsport.

The 2026 season will introduce new regulations, and along with that, a lot of uncertainties for the teams. Aston Martin hopes to achieve a much better performance from the beginning of the regulations, especially with the highly motivated leadership. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso will have many things on his mind, with the contract extension likely not being the only priority.

Fernando Alonso highlighted that a contract extension will not depend purely on Aston Martin’s performance under the new regulations. The Asturian noted that he will assess his own motivation to continue racing in F1, alongside other factors such as travel, events, and marketing apart from racing.

I don’t think it will just depend on performance, I need to see how I feel, how motivated I am, how much the travel, the events, the marketing and everything outside the track weighs on me.

Fernando Alonso told AS.

Further, Fernando Alonso reckoned that the teams were going to improve a lot from the very beginning of the 2026 season. With this, Alonso hoped to grow in terms of racing as well. This could serve as a motivation to keep pushing and racing at the pinnacle of motorsport. However, to make a 100% certain decision, the two-time champion will take some time before finalizing his contract extension.

I think the team is going to improve a lot from the start of the year; we’re going to grow as it progresses.  That will be motivating in terms of the possibility of continuing, seeing the car improve and results getting better. But to make a 100% certain decision, you have to wait as long as possible… if the team can wait.

Fernando Alonso added.

Fernando Alonso reveals ‘timeline’ to confirm F1 contract extension

The drivers’ market will open up following the culmination of the 2026 season, as many drivers will have to look for a new contract. This could put Fernando Alonso at a disadvantage against the young generation of drivers who could better adapt to the new regulations. Regardless, Alonso provides a timeline by which he hopes to confirm his extension.

Speaking on a potential extension, Fernando Alonso hinted that the fans might have to wait a bit longer to receive confirmation on the matter. He explained that it was because of the incredible progression and development of the cars under the new regulations. Alonso also noted that making a decision as soon as the season began might not be the right decision. As such, the 44-year-old was hoping to see how the teams evolve and wait as long as possible before finalizing his deal with the teams.

I don’t know – I think this year you have to wait a bit longer because the progression and development of the cars is going to be incredible, Making a decision in April or May could be right or wrong by September, depending on how the evolutions go. The longer you can wait, the better.  That would be my intention – to wait until September to decide. But we’ll see.

Fernando Alonso noted.

The first race weekend of the 2026 season is less than a month away, and all teams have shown up to the pre-season test. Many teams will face uncertainties over the year, but they are looking forward to starting the new regulations on the right note. It will be exciting to see how Aston Martin hits the ground-running from the beginning of the year.

Read More: Fernando Alonso Spill the Beans on Aston Martin’s Leadership Strength

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