Aston Martin Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has spoken about his potential retirement after the 2026 season, revealing that he would end his F1 journey if Aston Martin develops a competitive car for next year, the chances of which are quite high.
F1 will enter a new era of regulations next year, where cars will be smaller and lighter, featuring active aerodynamics. The biggest change will be the power unit, which will be powered by electric power and an internal combustion engine running on sustainable fuel, in an equal ratio.
With Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin arrival from Red Bull this year, the team could be expected to create a powerful 2026 title challenger at its Silverstone base, given the aero guru’s previous track record.
Newey’s contribution to developing the 2023 RB19 was immense, which helped Red Bull win 21 out of the 22 races on the F1 calendar. Now, as the managing technical partner and shareholder at Aston Martin, he enjoys enhanced control over the project.
Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team speaks in the media pen after the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 21, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team speaks in the media pen after the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 21, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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Alonso has immense faith in Newey’s capabilities, and while his plan of potentially retiring after the 2026 season is no secret, especially since it syncs with the expiration of his current contract, the 44-year-old driver revealed that a competitive car would produce an ideal scenario for him to part ways with F1 in top form.
Aston Martin has struggled in the ground effect era that began in 2022, and the performance challenges continue to this day, although the results have improved marginally. In an interview with his team, Alonso was asked if having a competitive car next year would make it difficult for him to retire from the sport. He said:
“I have thought about it. But I will leave the decision for next year, and also how the team is in that moment and what they need from me.
“I’m open to helping the team as much as I can. It’s not about me now. I don’t need to keep racing. I’m just here to help Aston Martin become World Champions, whether that’s with me behind the wheel or without me behind the wheel, that’s the main purpose of this second chapter of my career.
“And yeah, I said I thought about it. If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop because, as you said, I’ve been chasing a competitive car and a competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it’s a very good way to close my career.”
He added:
“Let’s say that if we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”