Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has revealed he will make a call on his racing future after the August summer break, as he weighs up whether to extend his already record-breaking career into a 24th season in 2027.
The Spaniard, who will celebrate his 45th birthday in July, is currently in the final year of his contract with Aston Martin. He joined the Silverstone-based team ahead of the 2023 season after leaving Alpine, bringing a wealth of experience and star power to Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious project.
Alonso’s potential decision carries significant weight in the paddock. Having made his F1 debut back in 2001 with Minardi, the Asturian has become one of the most durable and respected figures in the sport. His two world titles came in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, and he has since added podiums, poles, and memorable performances across stints with McLaren, Ferrari, and Alpine.
Even into his mid-40s, he continues to demonstrate a competitive pace and remarkable fitness, often out-qualifying younger teammates and pushing the limits of modern Formula 1 machinery. Is the end now in sight, though?
"Sometime in the summer, I need to make a decision," Alonso admitted. "At the moment I didn't sit with myself to think about that. I never thought about it in a deep way and I need to speak with my family as well. I need to speak with my people first and decide what to do next year."
"I'm very relaxed about it. If I continue racing, I think it will be a better season than this one with the project in year two," he said of Aston Martin's recent struggles. However, even if his time in F1 ends, Alonso knows he has countless options elsewhere in motorsport.
"If I stop racing, I know that I will race in other series," he confirmed. "I'm open to everything. Until probably after the summer break I will not really sit down with the team and make the decision. We need to see also how the car improves and how we see things into next year."
"I am also linked with this team, with this project. I want to succeed here behind the wheel or not being the wheel. You will see me in the paddock even if I stop racing," Alonso continued. "You cannot be 100 per cent sure about it but I'm performing I think well enough to show the team that I can give them the results if the car is competitive."
The Spaniard recently became a father for the first time, so has that changed his outlook at all? "I have some thoughts, I cannot lie. It does change the way you see life. I have to say that it is going in the other direction. I want to race so he sees me racing. But until he is aware of things, maybe it's a couple of years and I don't want to race four or five years again!"
"I was thinking, if I race one or two more years, if he will have any memory or any understanding of what is going on at the paddock and things like that? I would like not to stop before he is in the paddock, or he sits in my car, and this kind of thing," he shared. "They are moments you will remember all your life, so it does change [your thinking] to be a father."
Ultimately, Alonso wants to leave F1 on a high note. "Since I came back in 2021, it has been a gift to keep racing and to feel competitive. I also want to leave the sport one day when I feel fast. I don't want to leave the sport when I've been beaten by everyone, I feel slow and I make mistakes. I know that I'm at my 100 per cent now and I want to leave also when I feel that way."
The summer break, traditionally a period of reflection for drivers and teams, will give Alonso time to assess his motivation, the competitiveness of the Aston Martin package, and his long-term ambitions. While many drivers his age would have retired years ago, Alonso has repeatedly defied expectations, showing no signs of slowing down in terms of speed or passion for the sport.
Whether he chooses to sign a new deal and chase more milestones in 2027 or step away at the end of an extraordinary career remains to be seen.