Alonso content to keep future plans on hold as F1 ponders rule changes

Fernando Alonso says he is under no pressure from Aston Martin to decide his future with the team, as he weighs up continuing racing in Formula 1.

The Spaniard has raced in Barcelona and Valencia as home races during his time in F1 so far, and will add a new venue to that list this weekend as Madrid hosts the Spanish Grand Prix. Alonso has yet to announce his plans for 2027, but the 45-year-old says he is in no rush to do so and is not being chased by his team, either.

“Not soon,” Alonso said on a timeline for a decision. “Those drivers [that Aston Martin might have signed], they were visiting Lawrence [Stroll, team chairman] in summer. So no urgency.”

With the majority of experienced drivers now locked into their current teams, with no movement in the driver market as it stands, the likely outcome is for Alonso to stay with Aston Martin, although it is understood the team could consider its reserve option, America’s Jak Crawford.

Alonso says he is not only prioritizing his own enjoyment from the current ruleset, but also how he could best support Aston Martin moving forward.

“I think it’s a matter of understanding what the rules from next year will have as an impact – or not – on the racing and on the driving side of things,” he said. “I think the current cars, as I said many times, are not the best cars to drive and to enjoy. But next year there is a step, I think, in the right direction, hopefully.

“But, yes, at the same time, I need to think what is the best program for next year and sit with the team. Behind the wheel or in another role, where I will be helping the most – that will be the most important thing to decide together.”

While he confirms that a seat with Aston Martin in the World Endurance Championship or another category could be an option, Alonso says he wants to see further progress with the F1 power unit regulations beyond next season. 

“I think [planned changes are] a step in the right direction,” he said, “The cars will always reward charging the batteries on the highest-speed corners and at the end of the straights, because that’s the optimal lap time.

“With these power units, at one point in the lap you need to charge the batteries, and you will charge the batteries in the most problematic places for fun because it will be high-speed corners and end of the straights – so, against any driver input or pushing the limits of the car. But, in a way, I still have some hope that next year’s rule will still have to be tweaked again, that this is not the final version.”