Alonso desires to continue in F1 beyond 2026

Formula 1: Fernando Alonso has expressed his desire to continue racing in Formula 1 beyond the current season, during the Monaco historic Grand Prix. The two-time world champion confirmed that he hopes the 2026 season won’t be his last in F1. Previously, Alonso had said he would assess his future based on the season's performance, noting the difficulty of retiring if his car was uncompetitive.

In a recent television interview, Alonso shared, "I love what I do. I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years old, and I am 44 now, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. The moment I have to stop racing will be a very hard and difficult decision to accept."

As of now, Alonso stated, "I don’t feel it is that time yet. I feel competitive, I feel motivated, and I feel happy when I drive. So, hopefully, this is not the last season."

Alonso’s team, Aston Martin, entered the 2026 season with high expectations as it is their first year collaborating with Honda as their works engine partner. However, the start has not gone as planned, with issues reported regarding both car performance and engine reliability. Honda has faced criticism primarily linked to vibrations from their engine, which caused failures and discomfort for drivers.

Furthermore, it was revealed that a significant portion of the team's performance deficit is attributed to the chassis. Design guru Adrian Newey noted that his late arrival at the team, along with problems in their wind tunnel, has hindered their development, leaving them at least four months behind their competitors. However, he is optimistic about bridging the gap during the season.

Honda, regarded as the least competitive among engine manufacturers this season, is expected to receive allowances for extra development opportunities under the new 2026 power-unit regulations, which are designed to help underperforming teams catch up.

As for Alonso's future, Aston Martin may struggle to find a leading replacement for him should he decide to retire in 2027. The likelihood of him ending his notable career following a disappointing season seems slim as he aims for a more competitive end to his F1 journey.