Alonso treating each Spanish race like his last visit amid future uncertainty

Fernando Alonso admits the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be his last Formula 1 race at the venue as he is treating each grand prix as his potential last visit.

The Aston Martin driver – who turns 45 next month – is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to make a decision on whether to extend his career. With the team uncompetitive, Alonso says it’s disappointing to not sign off on a higher note, but he believes it is unlikely he will be returning when the next race is held in Barcelona in 2028 due to calendar rotation.

“It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1,” Alonso (pictured above greeting the Spanish fans at today's preview event) said. “So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the race hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend.

“It has been always a celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well.”

Expanding on his comments, Alonso says he is viewing every grand prix weekend in the same manner, but highlighted the fallow year for Barcelona in 2027 as the reason for his greater uncertainty.

“I don't have anything in mind. After summer I will take the decision to continue or not. But Barcelona obviously is not happening next year, so if I don't know what I will do next year, it's nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years' time.

“But I consider every race that I go this year that potentially could be my last time. In Australia, my last time; in China, my last time; in Monaco. And here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance, as it's not happening next year.”

Aston Martin's struggles mean Alonso is no longer a competitive force at the front, but he's still relishing every opportunity. Alastair Staley/Getty Images

Alonso scored his and Aston’s first point of the season in Monaco, benefiting from penalties for others to be classified 10th. That comes amid a challenging year due to reliability issues with the Honda power unit, and an uncompetitive chassis, and the two-time world champion admits he is more concerned by the machinery at his disposal than how close to the end of his F1 career he is.

“For me the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much. I'm at peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now, welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling.

“I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid or I was here, my first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never dreamt to be Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the paddock and stay for very long time.

“So, everything is a plus. It is a plus now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of personal feeling, it's not too hard or it's not anything.”