Fernando Alonso has confirmed he will continue his Formula 1 career past the age of 46 after finalizing a contract extension with Aston Martin. The two-time world champion, who celebrated his 45th birthday in July, signed the deal to remain in an unchanged lineup alongside Canadian teammate Lance Stroll for the 2027 season. Alonso, who turned 45 in July, signed a new contract with Aston Martin in an unchanged lineup for 2027 with Canadian Lance Stroll.
The agreement came together with surprising speed. Alonso revealed that he and team owner Lawrence Stroll held a brief, five-minute meeting that effectively settled his future. Describing the encounter, the driver noted that the negotiation was straightforward because both parties shared a mutual desire to maintain their partnership. He told reporters on Thursday that there was simply not much to discuss.
This decisive commitment arrives during a challenging period for the Silverstone-based organization. Aston Martin is currently grappling with an uncompetitive vehicle and a difficult Honda power unit, resulting in a disappointing campaign where the team has accumulated only three points across 15 rounds—all of which were secured by Alonso. They currently sit 10th in the standings out of 11 teams.
Despite these struggles, Alonso remains undeterred by the lack of guarantees regarding future performance. He emphasized that he continues to feel motivated and fast, maintaining that his passion for racing drives him to stay on the grid. He admitted that whenever he watches races from home, he finds himself convinced that he could perform better than the drivers currently on track, a sensation he experienced acutely during his time away from the sport. The lightning-quick negotiation stands in stark contrast to the soul-searching that led Alonso to his decision as he admitted he has “no guarantees that 2027 will be more fun. At the end of the day, I feel fast, I feel motivated, I feel that I’m enjoying what I’m doing,” Alonso said. “If I’m sitting at home watching TV, watching races, I will feel that I can do better than them.
The Spaniard, who has started a record 440 races since his 2001 debut and won consecutive world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, believes his two-year sabbatical between 2019 and 2021 was essential for his longevity. Stepping away allowed him to reset and explore various motorsport disciplines, including IndyCar and prototype racing, which he says helped him become a more adaptable and complete driver.
Alonso’s decision also involves personal considerations, particularly after the birth of his first child with partner Melissa Jimenez earlier this year. He shared with a smile that his partner is concerned about his well-being during such non-competitive seasons. He jokingly noted that she would actually prefer he stay home when the car is not performing well, acknowledging that she shares the pain of their current on-track difficulties.
