Fernando Alonso issues strong message about his uncertain F1 future

Fernando Alonso has suggested for the first time that he wants to stay in Formula 1 beyond 2026.

The 44-year-old Spaniard is out of contract at the end of the year and has previously indicated that he would consider his future in F1, admitting that it would be harder to retire if he did not have a competitive car.

The two-time F1 world champion has now given his strongest hint that he remains motivated to continue racing and hopes this is not his final season.

"I love what I do. I love racing,” Alonso said during an interview at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco.

“I did my first race when I was three years [old], and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. So the moment I have to stop racing, it will be very hard decision and difficult to accept.

"The time will tell. I will feel it. At the moment, I don't feel it is that time yet. I feel competitive, I feel motivated, I feel happy when I drive. So, yeah, hopefully not the last season.”

Alonso is the oldest driver on the F1 grid, having made his debut in 2001 with Minardi.

He won back-to-back world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 to end Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s dominance of F1.

Stints at McLaren, Ferrari and Alpine failed to deliver further championships for Alonso, whose 32nd and most recent F1 victory came at the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

Hopes were high that the combination of a major regulation reset, coupled with the first Aston Martin car to be designed by F1 legend Adrian Newey, and an exclusive Honda engine supply, might propel Alonso back to the front of the grid.

But Aston Martin has endured a nightmare start to the 2026 season, with a car and engine struggling with poor performance and reliability.

Alonso was forced to retire in the opening two races before he finished a lap down in 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking the first time Aston Martin managed to complete a full race distance this year.

Aston Martin’s poor start has left the Silverstone-based squad at the back of the grid, along with F1 newcomers Cadillac.

Given Aston Martin’s current lack of competitiveness, it is unlikely to have a lot of options for a leading driver to replace Alonso in 2027.