Alonso says shaping of regulations central to his F1 future

Fernando Alonso says he has no doubts Honda will deliver a power unit capable of winning championships with Aston Martin, but that his future in Formula 1 is more dependent on the regulations.

The two-time world champion is out of contract at the end of this season, and has previously stated he will remain involved with Aston Martin in a non-racing capacity should he retire from driving in F1. After a difficult start to the season due to a lack of competitiveness from both car and power unit, recent steps on the chassis side have shown the team’s potential, and Alonso says he is certain Honda will also provide what Aston Martin needs.

“100%, I think there is a huge commitment from Honda,” Alonso said. “The facilities we have in Japan are one of the best. I think the personnel and the management of the power unit now has been reinforced, as Honda said. All the people that were in the previous project [with Red Bull], they are in again on this one.

“I have no doubts. I trust 100% Honda. We just need to shortcut that process somehow. Unfortunately, we started with the wrong foot. We started with this set of regulations not at the level that we wanted, but I have no doubts that they will get there. As I said many times, we don't want to wait five years like they did last time [with McLaren], we want to do it in two years or three years maximum.”

Alonso’s ninth place in Zandvoort was his best result of the season so far in a display of the gains made with an upgraded Aston Martin, but the 45-year-old says a decision his future does not solely rest on improving car performance.

“We cannot be happy just with P9 and I think no one is happy in the team," he said. "It was a nice boost for everyone knowing that at least the direction that we are taking is the right one, because we changed a lot of things in the car since Budapest. And obviously we know, we feel that in the corners we are getting in a much better place.

“So that gives hope for everyone in Silverstone that if we keep on going on this philosophy and this strategy and this pace of development, eventually we will be one of the fastest in the corners. So we tick one of the boxes.

“Then on the engine side, I think Zandvoort was not a big improvement, to be honest. The drivability was a problem and the extra power was difficult to feel in Zandvoort. Maybe Monza is going to be a more true test for the engine. But it is still a long way to go. We need to improve in both ends, in chassis and engine for next year. It is a must. So that is the biggest thing.

“For my decision, as I said, it is not really about the car. I will be professional and working at my 100% fighting for P15 or fighting for a podium. But for me it is more about the regulations. Unfortunately, this is what it is. This is not the Formula 1 we grew up with. This is not the Formula 1 that we all want – drivers, spectators – so we must change a few things.

“It will not happen immediately. It will happen for the future, but I hope I can contribute somehow [and] for the next set of regulations, we go back to the real Formula 1.”