Fernando Alonso might be coming to the end of his time in Formula 1 as a driver, but that doesn’t mean that his involvement in the sport will be over.
F1 Oversteer understands that Aston Martin are considering purchasing a second team on the grid, with the intention of Fernando Alonso stepping in to run it.
No driver in the history of Formula 1 has had a longer career on the grid than Alonso.
Alonso’s debut season with Minardi in 2001 saw him share the grid with the likes of Jean Alesi, who started his F1 career in the 1980s.
CategoryLance StrollFernando Alonso2025 points2626Grand Prix results59Grand Prix qualifying014Grand Prix wins00Grand Prix poles00Grand Prix podiums00Best finish6th5thRetirements03Retirements (classified finish)00Fastest laps00Widthdrawals 10Grand Prix points finishes45Sprint results30Sprint Qualifying12Sprint wins00Sprint poles00Sprint podiums00The 2025 F1 teammate head-to-head battle of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso
The 44-year-old Spaniard has driven for teams up and down the grid, and after a brief hiatus where he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship, he returned to the grid with Alpine in 2021.
Aston Martin signed Alonso two years later, and while his first season showed plenty of promise, securing eight podium finishes, the team have been mired in midtable ever since.
However, Lawrence Stroll has lofty ambitions for Aston Martin, and has invested heavily in the team.
Signing Adrian Newey from Red Bull and securing an exclusive partnership with Honda from the start of next season highlights what he’s prepared to do.
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty ImagesAston Martin looking at buying Formula 1 rival team and putting Fernando Alonso in charge
F1 Oversteer understands that Aston Martin are hoping to take the next step in their Formula 1 journey, and want Alonso to play a key part.
Aston Martin are said to be looking at purchasing a second team on the grid, in a similar model to Red Bull and Racing Bulls relationship.
In the past few months, Aston Martin have set up their own driver academy, with Spanish F3 driver Mari Boya the first recruit.
After Williams were bought by Dorilton Capital, and with Sauber’s takeover by Audi imminent, Haas and Alpine are the two most likely teams that Aston Martin will target.
Position Constructors’ Standings PointsPts 1 559 2 260 3 236 4 194 5 70 6 52 7 51 8 45 9 35 10 20
Alpine have been linked with a partial sale recently, and while Flavio Briatore has always insisted Renault aren’t interested in a full sale, the departure of CEO Luca de Meo could change things.
Aston Martin would love Alonso to take over running their second team if a deal can be established, and bring his burgeoning driver pool with him.
The most high-profile driver under Alonso’s management is Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, who has impressed during his rookie campaign.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told reporters at the British Grand Prix that F1 needs ‘more teams than races’, suggesting that Aston Martin could even launch a bid for a 12th team to join the grid.
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
How the last four new teams have fared in Formula 1 ahead of Cadillac’s debut
Next season will see Cadillac become the 11th team on the grid, and if Aston Martin’s plans do go ahead, then they could be the newest outfit in the paddock under Alonso’s control.
Haas scored points on their debut in 2016, the four most recent debutants before them didn’t fare so well.
Three new teams entered Formula 1 in 2010, but HRT, Virgin Racing and Lotus all failed to really make much of an impact.
Even when Caterham and Marussia, later Manor, took over Lotus and Virgin Racing respectively, they never managed more than a handful of points.
Alonso’s Aston Martin contract expires next season, and he’ll already be thinking about his next steps should he decide to step away from racing.
Having his own team to run in the paddock would be an exciting new project for a driver who has proved he struggles to walk away from Formula 1.