Fernando Alonso’s manager Flavio Briatore claims 2026 might be the Spaniard’s last season in F1

Flavio Briatore believes that the 2026 season might be the final season for Fernando Alonso as he would consider retirement by then.

Fernando Alonso’s manager Flavio Briatore claims 2026 might be the Spaniard’s last season in F1

Flavio Briatore and Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)

Fernando Alonso has continued to power through the seasons in Formula 1 and has continued racing even at 42 years of age. The Asturian recently signed another multi-year deal with Aston Martin for the coming seasons. As a result, Alonso is locked in the sport for at least two more years. However, Flavio Briatore believes that the two-time world champion would likely consider retirement after the 2026 season.

Flavio Briatore who recently joined Alpine after leaving the sport during the 2008 season and is currently managing the driver shared his thoughts. Briatore claimed that he was ‘uncertain’ about Fernando Alonso‘s future in the sport after a contract extension. However, the Asturian’s performance at the Belgian GP was impressive. Subsequently, the Italian noted that after finishing the contract in 2026, Alonso would likely retire overall.

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I don’t know [about his future]. I believe [at Spa], for example, he was very smart. He did one pit stop and this was the way to go, because of his experience. If you ask me if Fernando wants to continue after we finish in the contract, our last year will be 2026 for the moment.
Flavio Briatore said on the Formula For Success podcast.

In addition to this, the 74-year-old further raised questions about Fernando Alonso’s thought process regarding continuing racing. The Asturian could continue racing for one more year after the 2026 season. Alonso had performance and a racing mentality instilled in him and didn’t lose focus during races. Hence, it wouldn’t be shocking to witness the 42-year-old further continue in the pinnacle of motorsport.

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What he wants to do after, I don’t know. Does he want to continue for one more year? The performance is there. You see the performance of Fernando, it’s there. It’s not a question of him losing concentration, during the race he’s always there.
Flavio Briatore added.
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Flavio Briatore claims Fernando Alonso is ‘very difficult to understand’ due to uncertainty about his future

Fernando Alonso himself hasn’t set a year or date of retirement from the sport. However, the 42-year-old had previously noted that scoring the 33rd race win would push him closer to retirement. Regardless, Flavio Briatore claimed that Alonso was difficult to understand due to him still being motivated like a young driver.

Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)
I’ve been managing Fernando Alonso for 22 years now. We’ve had 22 years of marriage. Fernando is still very difficult to understand because Fernando is still motivated like a young driver. He’s super fit, maybe more fit now than when he was driving for me.
Flavio Briatore noted

The current performance trajectory for Fernando Alonso depicts that the Asturian isn’t even close to retirement. Hence, the 42-year-old will continue to attempt to score well down the seasons in Formula 1. The coming few seasons will be exciting and enticing after witnessing Alonso’s desperation to score his 33rd win.

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