Fernando Alonso's place in Formula 1 beyond this season remains deeply uncertain, with the 45-year-old indicating that news of his future at Aston Martin will emerge only when he is ready to share it. The Spanish driver has grown increasingly frustrated with the sport's current technical direction and his team's competitive struggles, having accumulated points on just two occasions so far this campaign.
Alonso's contract with Aston Martin concludes at the end of the 2024 season, and his decision on whether to continue hinges largely on how the sport's 2026 regulations will reshape the racing experience. The upcoming technical overhaul will reduce the electric motor's contribution from approximately 50 per cent to 42 per cent of total power output, a shift Alonso believes could meaningfully alter how the cars feel to drive.
It's a matter of understanding what the rules from next year will have an impact or not on the racing and on the driving side of things, Alonso explained during the Spanish Grand Prix last Thursday.
The current cars, as I said many times, are not the best cars to drive and to enjoy. But next year there is a step in the right direction, hopefully.
The veteran driver suggested his role in Formula 1's future could extend beyond the cockpit.
At the same time, I need to think what is the best programme for next year and sit with the team. Behind the wheel or in another role, where I will be helping the most, that will be the most important thing to decide together.
FIA president signals intervention to retain Alonso
Within 24 hours of Alonso's comments, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem made an unusually direct intervention, suggesting he intends to work with Honda to accelerate their engine development programme. His remarks indicated a personal commitment to preventing the two-time world champion from leaving the sport prematurely.
There is no way we can allow Fernando to leave - Alonso, a great champion - just because of the circumstances. That's not the way to leave the stage, Ben Sulayem stated.
He has to be successful and then he leaves whenever he wants, not because he was forced to leave because of the performance.
The FIA president acknowledged the severity of Aston Martin's performance issues and revealed he had already engaged with team owner Lawrence Stroll.
I share the issues. The car is not performing. I met with Lawrence [Stroll] on Thursday and I'm going to do the changes and will talk to him to make him, try to make him, change his mind. It's not acceptable.
Ben Sulayem described a personal conversation with Alonso at his home Grand Prix, emphasizing the FIA's commitment to supporting the driver.
I will be speaking to him. I said to him, I saw him very sad, and I said, 'Fernando, I understand, it's not acceptable that you are coming to your own country and now after two times a world champion and you are at the last'.
We did something earlier, in May, legally for the team towards the engine to go and improve, and then I said to him, 'I am not going to tell you what we are going to do. Please tell me what you want because you are the driver and come and tell me what do you want us to do to improve these results.'He concluded:
Suddenly you see everything change, then I get a call and I had a meeting [with Stroll]. We are here to support.
Potential regulatory adjustments under discussion
Behind the scenes, the FIA is exploring options to accelerate Honda's competitiveness through the Power Unit Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives from all five engine manufacturers. One avenue being examined involves modifying the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrades Opportunities) rules to extend beyond the Internal Combustion Engine component.
Honda has already deployed one of its two allocated engine upgrade opportunities this season and retains at least two further upgrades available for 2027. The manufacturer was additionally granted an extra £14 million in development funding to close the performance gap with rivals.
Top teams open to supporting Honda's recovery
Notably, both Red Bull and Mercedes have signalled openness to regulatory modifications that would assist Honda in catching up to the leading engine suppliers. Although the FIA designated Red Bull as having the superior power unit earlier this year, most paddock observers regard Mercedes as the benchmark manufacturer.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the legitimacy of the FIA president's approach.
The ADUO in that case was designed as a catch-up mechanism and that formula was unlocked for Honda, and they need more, he explained.
And the conversation that the president had with Alonso is fair enough. We want to have all of these top constructors in the sport. We want them to be competitive and successful.
Wolff added:
And regulations are regulations to be for the best of the sport and sometimes maybe they need an adjustment, so fair enough conversation.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies similarly indicated his team's pragmatic stance on potential rule changes.
As much as we cannot agree all the time, as a sport we try to keep a fairly open look at the regulations.He referenced an earlier modification to the ADUO framework implemented this season specifically to support struggling manufacturers.
You may recall that actually there was a first change in the ADUO regulations done earlier this year precisely in order to help those who were much behind, compared to what was initially voted. All the teams voted that, we voted in favour of that for the benefit of the sport.
Mekies suggested further discussions were inevitable.
As I said, we cannot agree on everything but certainly as stakeholders of the sport if there is a situation that needs to be fixed or needs to be supported, we normally find solutions. And I'm sure that we will at some stage sit down and discuss the future of the ADUO regulations. The shortfalls, we know some of them, and I'm sure there is a few of those to address later on.
Uncertainty over Alonso's true intentions
It remains unclear whether Alonso's initial comments were designed to prompt regulatory intervention favouring Aston Martin and Honda, or whether they reflected genuine dissatisfaction with modern Formula 1 machinery. The reality likely encompasses both factors. Alonso made his Formula 1 debut in 2001 during the era of naturally aspirated V10 engines, a stark contrast to today's hybrid power units, and nostalgia for that period may be influencing his perspective.
Aston Martin's competitive struggles undoubtedly form part of Alonso's calculus. The fundamental question becomes whether the 45-year-old Spanish driver wishes to continue racing in Formula 1 if he cannot compete at the front of the grid. According to Motorsport Week, Alonso stated on 9 September that he still had no announcement to make for 2027 and would base any decision on what Aston Martin could achieve in that year.
Alonso will turn 46 next summer, making him older than any driver to compete in Formula 1 since Graham Hill in 1975. The Spaniard became a father earlier this year and has hinted at other motorsport ambitions beyond Formula 1. According to ESPN, Alonso said F1 no longer feels like the sport he grew up with, and he has indicated that a return to the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours remains an option.
Aston Martin's position and grid implications
Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack acknowledged the team's desire to retain Alonso while respecting his decision-making process.
We were always clear the team wants to continue. We have made it clear all through, but we need to respect what Fernando's thoughts are.He continued:
We need to respect the time he wants to take. And, as I said before, we're confident we can reach a good solution for everybody. And now it's about waiting. He needs to make up his mind and then we move on.
The timing of Alonso's decision carries significant implications for the 2027 driver market. According to Formula 1.com, Alonso indicated he would wait until around the summer break to make his decision, though he has not ruled out delaying any public announcement further into the season.
Most of the 2027 grid has already been locked in following Max Verstappen's new Red Bull contract and commitments from Williams pair Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. Only the second Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen, Racing Bulls, Haas and Audi have yet to confirm their line-ups, leaving Aston Martin with limited options to recruit a perceived top-tier replacement should Alonso retire.
Krack made clear the team's preference.
I will also not speak about any Plan B. We very much hope that Fernando will continue. He's very important for our team. He's very important for Formula 1. He's very important for the whole sport and motorsport in general.He concluded:
It would be a pity to not have him anymore. And because that would be so dramatic, I do not even want to talk about it or think about it.
