Stefano Domenicali claims it could be a ‘challenge for Fernando Alonso’ to race under 2026 regulations

Fernando Alonso is the oldest driver on the current F1 grid.

Stefano Domenicali claims it could be a ‘challenge for Fernando Alonso’ to race under 2026 regulations

Stefano Domenicali and Fernando Alonso (Via: Imago)

Fernando Alonso, the former 2-time world champion, has been defying all the odds at the pinnacle of motor racing. Despite being 42 years old, he is still going strong but looking ahead, F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali has expressed doubt whether the former would be racing when 2026 comes around.

After a hiatus away from F1, Fernando Alonso made his comeback with Alpine in 2021 and since then, he has been performing at an extremely high level. Last year, he jumped ship to Aston Martin and produced a mighty campaign.

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Everything is going for Alonso at the moment, but Stefano Domenicali is not sure what the future looks like for the Spaniard. While talking about the same, he said, as reported by AS:

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It may be a challenge for Fernando. Can you imagine Fernando winning in Madrid? I can only think that that can happen here in Madrid.

In the above quotes, Domenicali is talking about the Madrid GP that will hit the F1 calendar from 2026 onward. Moreover, because Alonso is already 42, Domenicali does not think he will be around when 2026 kicks off. There are still two seasons to go until then.

Fernando Alonso was at the top of his game in 2023

While Stefano Domenicali has cast doubt over the Aston Martin driver’s 2026 involvement, the latter produced a sensational campaign last year. Alonso finished the 2023 F1 season in a well-deserved fourth place in the driver’s championship.

Fernando Alonso (Credits: racingnews365)
Fernando Alonso (Credits: racingnews365)

He has not lost any of his blistering pace despite being in his 40s, and it is mostly because of his grit and determination to do well in F1. Apart from finishing fourth last year, Alonso managed eight podium finishes and was also able to amass a mighty total of 206 points.

The 2024 F1 season is not too far away and if he is able to perform in the same manner in which he performed last year, then there will be no reason to think why he can’t be around in 2026. Moreover, knowing Alonso’s competitive spirit, there is a very good chance that he could be seen racing at the Madrid GP.

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