Fernando Alonso insists he still trusts Honda “100%” despite Aston Martin’s extremely difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, but the two-time world champion does not want to wait another five or six years for success. The 45-year-old believes the Aston Martin-Honda project can reach the level required to win, while making clear that both the chassis and power unit must take major steps forward for 2027.
Alonso is also weighing up whether to extend his time as an Aston Martin Formula 1 driver beyond the current season. Although recent upgrades have provided some encouragement, the Spaniard explained that the competitiveness of the car is not the only factor influencing his decision, with the direction of Formula 1’s regulations also playing a major role.
Fernando Alonso keeps faith after Aston Martin’s nightmare start
At 45, Fernando Alonso is the veteran of the Formula 1 grid, yet he continues to race with the same enthusiasm and determination that characterised his two World Championship-winning seasons in 2005 and 2006.
There were high expectations surrounding the Aston Martin-Honda-Newey project heading into 2026. Many believed it could already give Alonso an opportunity to challenge for occasional victories, even if a genuine title bid proved unrealistic. Instead, the AMR26 immediately emerged as a slow, difficult-to-drive, overweight and underpowered car.
There have at least been signs of progress. Aston Martin introduced its first significant aerodynamic updates in Hungary before Honda followed with a revised power unit specification at Zandvoort. Alonso’s ninth-place finish in the Dutch Grand Prix delivered two points and offered a small measure of encouragement as he continues to evaluate whether to extend his relationship with Aston Martin.
Alonso says Zandvoort showed Aston Martin is moving in the right direction
Asked whether the two points scored at Zandvoort represented a confidence boost for Aston Martin’s technical development, Alonso acknowledged the progress without pretending that ninth place was an acceptable long-term target.
“Obviously we cannot be happy with ninth place and I don’t think anyone in the team is happy, but it was a nice boost for everyone to know that at least the direction we are taking is the right one, because we changed many things on the car from Budapest and obviously we know, or we feel, that in the corners we are doing much better.”
“So that gives hope to everyone at Silverstone that if we continue with this philosophy, this strategy and this rate of development, eventually we will be among the fastest in the corners. So we have ticked one of the boxes.”
Fernando Alonso says Honda upgrade still has major weaknesses
Alonso was more cautious when assessing Honda’s updated power unit, which made its debut in the Netherlands. While the new specification represented another step in Aston Martin’s development programme, the Spaniard admitted that the gains were not particularly obvious at Zandvoort.
“Then, on the engine side, I think the version introduced at Zandvoort was not a big improvement, to be honest. Drivability was a problem and the extra power was difficult to feel at Zandvoort. Maybe Monza will be a real test for the engine, but there is still a long way to go.”
“We need to improve on both fronts, the chassis and the engine, for next year, and that is a must. So that is the most important aspect for my decision.”
F1 regulations could be more important than Aston Martin performance
Alonso then made clear that the competitiveness of the AMR26 alone will not determine whether he continues racing in Formula 1.
“As I said, it is not so much about the car. I will be professional and work at 100%, whether I am fighting for P15 or for a podium, but for me it is more about the regulations, unfortunately.”
“This is not the Formula 1 we grew up with and this is not the Formula 1 that all of us want — drivers and spectators. So we need to change some things. It will not happen immediately, it will happen in the future, but I hope I can contribute somehow to the next set of regulations, to return to the real Formula 1.”
Le Mans and GT3 opportunities remain open to Alonso
Alonso was also asked whether greater freedom to compete in other forms of motorsport could influence his future with Aston Martin, particularly given his previous success outside Formula 1.
“I think that door is not closed. As we have seen with Lance, who took part in the GT3 race, and I know there will be other GT3 races, at Portimão and other places where I have been invited.”
“But at the moment it is not my priority. There is the Valkyrie programme at Le Mans and there are other opportunities, but right now my main focus is F1 and that will not change anything.”
Fernando Alonso: “I trust Honda 100%”
Despite Honda’s difficult return under the 2026 regulations, Alonso remains convinced that the Japanese manufacturer can eventually reproduce the success it achieved during its previous partnership with Red Bull.
Asked directly whether he believes Honda can return to that level, Alonso replied: “100%. I think there is a huge commitment from Honda. The facilities we have in Japan are among the best.”
“I think the personnel and the management of the power unit have been strengthened, as Honda has said, and all the people who were involved in the previous project are involved again in this one.”
“So I have no doubts and I trust Honda 100%. We just need to shorten this process somehow. Unfortunately, we started on the wrong foot and we began this set of regulations not at the level we wanted, but I have no doubt that they will get there.”
Alonso does not want another five-year Honda wait
The crucial question is how quickly Honda and Aston Martin can close the gap. Alonso does not want the project to require the same lengthy development cycle that Honda experienced after returning to Formula 1 with McLaren.
“As I have said many times, we don’t want to wait five or six years like Honda did last time. We want to do it in two years, or three years maximum.”
That timetable is particularly significant for Alonso given his age and the uncertainty surrounding his own Formula 1 future. The Spaniard remains determined to win again, but Aston Martin and Honda must demonstrate that their project is progressing quickly enough to make that ambition realistic.
Alonso jokes his motivation could last until 80 or 90
If there are any doubts about Alonso’s appetite for competition, however, they do not appear to come from the driver himself.
Asked how long he believes he can maintain his current level of motivation, Alonso offered a typically defiant response.
“Never give up. I think I could do it until I’m 80 or 90,” he said with a laugh.
For now, Formula 1 remains the priority. Alonso believes Aston Martin’s chassis development is beginning to move in the right direction and continues to place complete faith in Honda’s ability to improve. The question is whether both sides can accelerate that progress quickly enough to give one of Formula 1’s most experienced drivers another genuine opportunity to fight at the front.
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