Alonso: Hard to Retire if Aston Martin Isn’t Competitive
Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 world champion, has made it clear: retirement won’t come easy if Aston Martin fails to deliver a competitive car in 2026. The 44-year-old Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the most skilled drivers in Formula 1 history, says that walking away from the sport will be “very hard” if the team continues to underperform.
In an interview released by Aston Martin, Alonso opened up about his thoughts on retirement, the team’s struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season, and his optimism for the future, especially with legendary designer Adrian Newey now onboard.
The Road So Far
Fernando Alonso’s journey in Formula 1 has been both triumphant and turbulent. After winning back-to-back Formula 1 World Championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006, Alonso’s career has since been marked by moments of brilliance shadowed by years of frustration and near-misses.
He came agonizingly close to further titles during his time at Ferrari, finishing runner-up in 2010 and 2012. In both seasons, he lost out on the championship to Sebastian Vettel by just a handful of points, despite not always having the fastest car.
After a disappointing stint at McLaren, particularly during the Honda engine era, Alonso stepped away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018. During his hiatus, he found success in endurance racing, winning Le Mans 24 Hours twice and claiming the World Endurance Championship title.
But the allure of Formula 1 was too strong. Alonso returned in 2021 with Alpine and then moved to Aston Martin in 2023, where he initially saw a resurgence in performance with six podiums in the first eight races. However, as the season progressed, the team’s performance declined, a trend that unfortunately carried over into 2025.
2025: A Season of Setbacks
So far in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin has struggled to find form. The team currently sits seventh in the constructors’ championship with seven races left. Despite consistently outqualifying his teammate Lance Stroll (19 times to 1), Alonso finds himself 14th in the drivers’ standings, trailing even Stroll by two points.
This has been a point of frustration for Alonso, who, despite being in his mid-40s, continues to perform at an elite level in Formula 1. It’s precisely this level of performance that makes the thought of retirement so complex for him.
“If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop… If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”
– Fernando Alonso
Hope in the Form of Adrian Newey
One of the biggest reasons for Alonso’s optimism about 2026 is the recent hiring of Adrian Newey, a design genius whose cars have won multiple championships across various teams including Williams, McLaren, and most recently Red Bull Racing.
Newey officially joined Aston Martin in March 2025 and is already working on the team’s car for 2026, which will be the first designed entirely under his leadership. Alonso is full of praise for Newey’s impact on the team.
“He’s an incredible person and everyone in the team is learning from him,” Alonso shared, emphasizing the energy and innovation Newey brings to the Formula 1 paddock.
With 2026 set to introduce new regulations for both engines and chassis, many see it as a significant turning point in Formula 1. Teams that adapt well could leap forward, and Alonso believes Aston Martin has everything in place to make that leap.
The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Alonso acknowledged that while Aston Martin is laying a solid foundation, it takes more than infrastructure and talent to win in Formula 1.
“I want to taste the success of the Aston Martin project… But I know everything takes time to glue all the pieces together.”
He believes the team has the right technical personnel, facilities, and driver lineup. The only remaining question is when these ingredients will come together to deliver victories.
Will Alonso Get His Fairy-Tale Ending?
Alonso’s Formula 1 legacy is already cemented, but like any true champion, he wants to end his career on a high. For him, that means racing competitively at the front and possibly adding another victory—or even a title—before he bows out.
But the window is narrowing. He will be 45 years old in July 2026, and while age is just a number, the demands of Formula 1 are extreme. Retirement is clearly on his mind, but only under the right circumstances.
“Aston Martin fighting for and winning the World Championship is more or less guaranteed in the future,” Alonso said. “To win it, you need a little help from your competitors and a bit of luck.”
Formula 1’s Next Chapter
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent memory. With sweeping regulatory changes, the landscape of Formula 1 is expected to shift dramatically. For veterans like Alonso, this could represent the last big opportunity to compete at the highest level.
And if Aston Martin gets it right, the 2026 Formula 1 season might just be the perfect send-off for one of the sport’s greatest talents. If they don’t, don’t be surprised if Alonso sticks around even longer, still chasing that final taste of glory.
Conclusion: Retirement Still on Hold?
For now, Fernando Alonso is staying in the game. His passion for Formula 1, combined with Aston Martin’s potential, especially under Adrian Newey, means the fire to compete still burns brightly.
The real question is not whether Alonso is ready to retire. It’s whether Formula 1 is ready to let him go.
Reference Website: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/articles/cvgqje6jnjzo
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