F1 News: Fernando Alonso Contract Questioned - 'I Don't Know How He Does It'

Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, is set to continue racing in Formula 1 with Aston Martin until at least 2026. This decision comes as a significant commitment from the team, extending well beyond the upcoming major rule changes in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Fernando Alonso will continue racing for Aston Martin in Formula 1 until at least 2025 or 2026, confirming his presence beyond major rule changes anticipated for 2026.
• Damon Hill praises Alonso's exceptional skill and longevity in the sport, emphasizing the rarity of such a contract extension for a driver in their mid-40s.
• Alonso's contract extension is seen as a strong endorsement of Aston Martin's strategic direction and their collaboration with Honda, contrasting with Red Bull's approach to powertrain development.

Alonso's career has been marked by remarkable longevity and resilience, characteristics that have only become more pronounced as he moves through his 40s. Typically, drivers tend to retire by their late 30s, as the physical and mental demands of the sport take their toll. However, Alonso is defying these norms, continuing to compete fiercely against much younger contenders.

“The reason Alonso is there is because he is exceptional. Not because he is a nice guy to have around, no, he is exceptional. And that is why they took the leap and did something that is so unusual for our sport, to give someone a contract until their mid-40s," said Damon Hill on the F1 Nation Podcast.

Alonso’s tenure extension also speaks volumes about the technological and strategic ambitions of Aston Martin. As the F1 world anticipates the 2026 rule changes, which are expected to introduce significant technological shifts, the team's alignment with Alonso suggests confidence in both their future car development and their driver lineup. The extension is not just a vote of confidence in Alonso’s remarkable driving skills but also in the strategic direction the team is heading, particularly in their collaboration with Honda for engine development.

"When you were over 40, the end seemed near, right? Most people stopped around the age of 39 or 40 and I had nothing left at the time."

Alonso, however, seems to thrive under pressure, maintaining a race pace and strategic acumen that rivals the best in the sport. His approach to racing—meticulous, opportunistic, and incredibly strategic—sets him apart in a grid that values both raw speed and cunning.

"We know he's smart and he thinks of every little opportunity he can take. That puts him on a different level compared to a lot of other drivers. I think we're all in awe and sometimes he goes a little too far. He has maintained his opportunism and attention to detail throughout his career, as well as his race pace."

Even as debates swirl around the feasibility of keeping a driver in the cockpit well into their 40s, Alonso continues to attract admiration and amazement from peers and pundits alike.

"And for me as a 63-year-old, he is one of the most promising youngsters on the grid," Hill joked.

The enthusiasm for Alonso's extended stay is also a nod towards the technical collaborations shaping the future of F1. With Aston Martin betting on a robust partnership with Honda, they diverge from other teams like Red Bull, who are developing their in-house powertrains.

"It is also an endorsement for the Honda project, because they are going full on Honda, while Red Bull is going for Red Bull Powertrains. Maybe Aston Martin will get something from Honda that Red Bull will benefit from and will soon pull the plug on.

"Then they have to swim without armbands. So I think it shows confidence in that project. Aston Martin is well financed and the project can only improve, for example with the wind tunnel."