Fernando Alonso remains undecided over his Formula 1 future as he prepares for talks with Aston Martin, with the 45-year-old insisting that a third world championship remains his ultimate dream. However, the Spaniard is also looking beyond F1, revealing that winning the Dakar Rally and making another attempt at the Indianapolis 500 remain among the major challenges he would like to pursue.
The build-up to the Dutch Grand Prix has featured several significant contract announcements. Williams has secured both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz for the future, while Max Verstappen has committed his long-term future to Red Bull. That leaves Fernando Alonso as one of the biggest remaining uncertainties on the driver market, with the Aston Martin driver still considering whether to continue racing in Formula 1.
Fernando Alonso’s F1 future depends on Aston Martin progress
Aston Martin’s substantial AMR26 upgrade package, introduced in Budapest before the summer break, allowed Adrian Newey’s team to make an encouraging step forward. Even so, the performance remains some way short of the level Fernando Alonso expects, and the progress made during this phase of the season will be an important factor in his decision.
“Until I sat down here, I wasn’t thinking about the future, but about the new engine, the weather forecast, improvements to the chassis or the comfort of the car. It’s not my main priority right now,” Fernando Alonso explained.
“The important thing will be to see that we have a clear philosophy regarding what we need and to see the steps forward. In Budapest we saw that direction with the chassis and it’s encouraging, and it’s the same with the engine. We want to confirm that step, but the number doesn’t matter. Whether it’s one tenth or one second, we’re still too far away.”
Among the changes to the AMR26, Fernando Alonso also revealed an unusual modification aimed specifically at driver comfort.
“There’s a new comfort element around the knee area that I was talking about with the engineers.”
It is a seemingly minor detail, but one that matters after the Aston Martin proved particularly uncomfortable earlier in the year, with strong vibrations adding to the difficulties faced by its drivers.
Alonso plans talks with Lawrence Stroll and Adrian Newey
The question of whether Fernando Alonso will renew his contract is expected to be addressed soon, although the Spaniard is not imposing a strict deadline on himself.
“I’ll see Lawrence Stroll here or in Monza. I’ll also go to the factory to prepare for Madrid and, if he’s there with Adrian Newey, I’ll sit down with them,” Fernando Alonso revealed.
“The regulations will remain the same, there are only small adjustments, so it depends on me and whether I want to enjoy myself more or less. I’ll see in the next few days, weeks… or months. Formula 1 is, has been and will be my life. My heart is here.”
The two-time world champion also made clear that his relationship with Aston Martin could continue even if he eventually decides to step away from an F1 race seat.
“And I’ll continue in this role or another one, but it’s not about knowing whether I’ll continue next year or for another three years. It’s about sitting down with the team and understanding. I need to drive, I’m competitive and I love challenges.”
Third F1 title remains Alonso’s ultimate dream
Despite the uncertainty over how much longer his Formula 1 career will continue, Fernando Alonso has not abandoned the ambition of becoming a three-time world champion. The difficulty is knowing whether Aston Martin can reach championship-winning performance while he is still behind the wheel.
“The third title is the ultimate dream, but you don’t know how long it will take or whether you’ll get that level of performance, which perhaps will arrive when I’m no longer here. I want to win the Dakar one day or try the Indianapolis 500 again.”
Those ambitions reflect Fernando Alonso’s long-standing interest in succeeding across different forms of motorsport rather than limiting his career exclusively to Formula 1.
Fernando Alonso insists age is no barrier at 45
Modern Formula 1 places enormous physical and mental demands on its drivers, but Fernando Alonso believes both remain among his strengths. The Spaniard rejects comparisons with sports in which age has a more obvious impact on physical performance.
“Formula 1 isn’t football, athletics or the NBA. In Qatar in 2023, everyone was half dead in parc fermé and I was calmly doing the interviews. Here you use brain capacity and physical skills. Age isn’t a problem,” the two-time world champion said.
Fernando Alonso then offered another characteristically analytical observation when explaining why age alone cannot determine a Formula 1 driver’s competitiveness.
“Formula 1 is a different animal: there are people who use 100% of their brain capacity and physical abilities to drive the car, while maybe Max Verstappen is using 10% because he’s on another level.”
Alonso praises Max Verstappen after new Red Bull deal
Max Verstappen’s future has also been a major talking point at Zandvoort. The four-time world champion has committed himself to Red Bull for the long term, removing one of the largest potential pieces from the Formula 1 driver market. The Dutchman’s importance to the weekend is particularly significant as he prepares for his final home appearance at the circuit, where Max Verstappen has paid tribute to his Zandvoort supporters.
Asked about Max Verstappen’s decision, Fernando Alonso responded with his usual pragmatism and had only positive words for his fellow world champion.
“It’s his decision, but I’m certainly not disappointed. Why should I be? I’m happy for him, happy for Red Bull and happy for the sport. He’s probably the best in the paddock, and it’s good to have him in Formula 1.”
For Fernando Alonso, however, the next decision is his own. Aston Martin’s ability to demonstrate meaningful progress with the AMR26 could help determine whether he remains on the Formula 1 grid, while his competitive ambitions ensure that stepping away from F1 would not necessarily mean stepping away from racing.
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