Fernando Alonso responds to critics: “Retire? I feel as fast as 20 years ago”. Fernando Alonso, nearing 44, has no intention of hanging up his helmet..

This weekend in China, Fernando Alonso will contest his 403rd Grand Prix in Formula 1. A massive number set to grow further, as the Asturian is under contract with Aston Martin at least until the end of the 2026 season. The Spaniard will turn 44 on July 29, and after his incident in Australia at the season-opening race, questions have resurfaced about what still drives him to race Sunday after Sunday.

As fast as in 2004

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Shanghai weekend, the two-time world champion did not hold back, reaffirming that he has no intention of retiring and still feels as fast as he did 20 years ago, when he was a rising star on the verge of becoming F1’s first—and so far only—Spanish world champion. “It’s a privilege to keep racing and doing what I love, which is competing in cars,” said the #14. “I’ve been fortunate to experience many different eras of this sport, and I’m still here. I still feel motivated and fresh to travel the world and race these cars.”

“And most importantly, I feel competitive,” Alonso emphasized with pride. “If one day I feel I’m not fast or struggling with pace, or anything else, I’ll be the first to say I’m not enjoying it. I’m an ultra-competitive person. For me, the most important thing is that I debuted in F1 in 2001, raced in the first Chinese Grand Prix in 2004, and in 2025, I’m still here, and I’m as fast as in 2004. That’s how I feel. In fact, maybe I’m even faster now because we have different tools and opportunities to improve and correct some weaknesses we might have had during our careers.”