Fernando Alonso has recently hinted that 2026 could mark his final season in Formula 1, although the decision will largely depend on the performance of Aston Martin’s new car. For the two-time world champion, next year will be his twenty-third season in the top tier of motorsport, with his contract set to expire in December 2026.
Although Fernando Alonso has not won a race since 2013 and secured his two drivers’ titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, the Spanish driver continues to nurture big ambitions. Aston Martin is investing heavily in its facilities and will benefit from the arrival of Adrian Newey, the design genius tasked with bringing the team to the front of the grid under the new technical regulations.
In an interview with AS.com, Fernando Alonso suggested that 2026 might indeed be his last season in Formula 1 if the Aston Martin car delivers strong results: “It depends on how I feel next year, both physically and mentally. But I don’t know yet. At the moment, my thoughts aren’t clear. If the car performs well, there’s a good chance it will be my final year.” – the former McLaren and Ferrari driver pointed out.
When asked whether he preferred to end on a high note rather than prolong his career while waiting for a competitive car, he replied: “Yes. I know I’ll have better chances of achieving good results in 2027 or 2028, when the team we are building with Adrian Newey and others reaches stability. They might perform well from the first year, but the real success will come from the second or third year onwards.”
“I need to think it through carefully. If the car isn’t competitive, I will probably stay another year to finish on a high note. If the car is strong, 2026 will likely be my last year,” Fernando Alonso explained.
“I know this is my last chance,” he added. “I’ve treated previous regulation changes simply as transitions, hoping that everything would go well and that my team would interpret the rules correctly and have a fast car. But this time it’s different, because it’s the last regulation change I will experience, and the final opportunity to try to win another Grand Prix, enjoy the great moments, stand on the podium, and fight for the championship. There are high hopes pinned on the 2026 change. While it’s not objectively more or less important than previous changes, it is extremely significant to me on an emotional level.” – the Spanish driver concluded.
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