Fernando Alonso has admitted that his Formula 1 retirement plans depend heavily on Aston Martin’s competitiveness over the next two seasons, particularly with the major regulation changes due in 2026.
The 44-year-old Spaniard, who won world titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, has enjoyed one of the longest careers in the sport. However, he said in a recent team interview that it would be “very hard” to walk away if Aston Martin remain uncompetitive next year.
“If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop,” Alonso said. “I’ve been chasing a competitive car and competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it’s a very good way to close my career. But if we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”
Alonso has not won a race since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix with Ferrari, despite still being regarded as one of the finest drivers on the grid.
His time since leaving Ferrari has been defined by near-misses and frustration, from falling just a few points short of Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull in 2010 and 2012 to struggling through McLaren’s decline and its disastrous Honda engine partnership.
After stepping away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018, Alonso turned to endurance racing and other challenges, securing victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship, while also competing in the Indianapolis 500 and Dakar Rally. He made his F1 return with Alpine in 2021 before joining Aston Martin in 2023.
Initially, the move paid dividends, with six podiums in the first eight races of that season. Yet the team’s form quickly faded, and the 2025 campaign has been particularly difficult.
Aston Martin currently sit seventh in the constructors’ championship, while Alonso is only 14th in the drivers’ standings, narrowly trailing teammate Lance Stroll despite consistently outperforming him in qualifying.
Team owner Lawrence Stroll has invested heavily in the project, and the arrival of legendary designer Adrian Newey earlier this year has been seen as a game-changer. Aston Martin’s first car under Newey’s leadership will debut in 2026, coinciding with sweeping changes to Formula 1’s engine and chassis regulations.
Alonso has praised his early experiences with Newey, describing him as “an incredible person” whose influence is already being felt inside the team.
“I’m pretty convinced Aston Martin has all the ingredients to fight for a World Championship,” Alonso said. “The only question is when. Everything takes time to connect, but the future success of this project feels guaranteed.”
As he prepares to turn 45 next year, Alonso acknowledged that timing will play a decisive role in whether he chooses to end his remarkable career on a high or continue chasing the elusive third world championship.
“Aston Martin fighting for and winning the World Championship is more or less guaranteed in the future,” Alonso added. “But to execute and win it, you always need external factors—competitors, circumstances, and a little bit of luck.”