Alonso commits to Aston Martin amid Newey intrigue
FILIP CLEEREN
FORMULA 1
Fernando Alonso has committed his Formula 1 future to Aston Martin by penning a fresh multi-year deal and could end his career there.
The new contract will see the Spaniard race for the Silverstone outfit until the end of 2026. Intriguingly, the deal also includes a path for Alonso to shift to a non-driving role once the two-time world champion decides to retire from F1 for good, calling it the “longest contract” he has ever signed.
The 2026 season will be the start of a new regulations era and Alonso explained it was an “important point” to secure a long-term deal that will give him a shot at success one last time with the new cars and power units. “To commit to a one-year project didn’t make sense for me,” said the 32-time grand prix winner. “For me it was a must to really enter new regulations with a new project. Part of the decision to stay at Aston is because they are with Honda for 2026, it is because they are with Aramco. We have incredible, talented people in the team. There were a lot of factors that made 2026 very appealing with Aston.”
Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack said the squad was delighted for Alonso to pledge his final years in F1 to the team amid vacancies at Mercedes and Red Bull. “Securing Fernando’s long-term future with Aston Martin is fantastic news,” said Krack. “We have been in constant dialogue and Fernando has been true to his word: when he decided he wanted to continue racing, he talked to us first. Fernando has shown he believes in us, and we believe in him.”
Significantly, Aston Martin will move to Honda works engines for 2026, meaning Alonso will be reunited with the manufacturer he endured a troubled working relationship with at McLaren between 2015 and 2017. But Honda’s current management had already indicated it has no issues with working with Alonso again, and the Spaniard is keen to make things work this time. “Honda is definitel
