Fernando Alonso to stay in F1 with Aston Martin for 2026
Fernando Alonso, 45, commits to at least one more year in Formula 1 with Aston Martin, citing his enduring speed and self-belief as primary motivators.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Fernando Alonso, 45, commits to staying in Formula 1 with Aston Martin for at least another year.
- The core reason is his unwavering self-belief and feeling that he still possesses extra speed.
- He has criticized the 2026 hybrid engines, but takes hope from FIA and F1's willingness to make adjustments.
- Family life with his partner Melissa Jimenez and their baby son Leonard adds a new dimension of joy.
Fernando Alonso has officially committed to staying in Formula 1 with Aston Martin for at least one more year, announcing his decision on Tuesday. In his only English-language interview about the announcement with BBC Sport, the 45-year-old Spaniard revealed that the single biggest factor behind his choice is simply because he still feels fast and retains immense self-confidence in his abilities.
Despite Aston Martin enduring a difficult and largely uncompetitive season near the back of the grid, Alonso explained that his personal drive remains unmatched. During free practice sessions, he still observes rivals making braking errors or locking up their front tyres. Knowing he can still perform at a high level gives him internal pride, even when finishing down the order in P18, far outweighing the prospect of watching races passively from his living room.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Alongside Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Alonso has been one of the most vocal critics of the 2026 hybrid engine regulations, arguing that a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power diminishes the core challenge of F1. However, reassurance came from the FIA and commercial rights holders, who acknowledged the issues and agreed to phase in power ratio adjustments to 60-40 by 2028, giving Alonso hope that driving will feel more natural next year.
"When I jump in the car, in free practice, I will see some people braking late in a corner, locking up the front tyres here or there, making mistakes there."
Fernando Alonso
Alonso's decision highlights the vital bridge between legendary drivers and governing bodies in modern motorsport. When regulatory bodies like the FIA actively listen to driver feedback regarding technical changes—such as power unit ratios—it helps preserve the authentic driving experience and keeps generational talents engaged in the sport despite sweeping technological shifts.
On the team front, Aston Martin faced a dismal campaign alongside Honda's returning power unit, yet a massive car upgrade introduced ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix trimmed around two seconds off lap times. Furthermore, the chance to collaborate with legendary designer Adrian Newey, combined with major internal improvements at Honda, gave Alonso renewed faith. Adding to his motivation is family life, following the birth of his son Leonard with partner Melissa Jimenez in March.
Source: BBC Sport
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