Fernando Alonso has never been a driver afraid of change, and as Formula 1 gears up for its next major rules revolution in 2026, the Aston Martin veteran believes his decades of diverse experience might give him a unique advantage over his younger rivals.
The two-time World Champion, who has raced in everything from rally raids to endurance classics alongside a career spanning multiple F1 eras, is relishing the chance to put his adaptability to the test once again and leverage a lifetime of racing wisdom.
With a blend of pragmatism and passion, Alonso laid out how he sees his role in helping Aston Martin prepare for the new era of cars, what he can bring to the team as a driver steeped in knowledge, and how the looming prospect of retirement depends not on personal glory but on the collective success of the Silverstone outfit.
A Veteran’s Edge in a New Era
When it comes to the 2026 regulation overhaul, Alonso believes his decades of experience give him a head start over the sport’s young generation.
“I think so… Or I would at least like to think so,” he said in an interview published last week on Aston Martin F1’s website.
“I’ve driven very different cars in motorsport, from rally cars in the dunes to endurance racing to Formula 1 – and very different eras of Formula 1.
“So, you know, whatever we find next year in the first couple of days with the car, I’m sure that it will have some similarities with some of the experiences that I had in the past.
“Hopefully, I can understand any problems or opportunities, and feed that back to the team: what could be needed to tackle these.”
The Spaniard’s ability to draw parallels from past challenges could indeed make him a linchpin for Aston Martin as they navigate uncharted territory.
The Feedback Loop
Alonso’s role extends far beyond the racetrack, as he’s deeply involved in sculpting Aston Martin’s 2026 contender. From simulator sessions to techncial meetings, he’s helping translate the abstract into the actionable.
“Well, so far, we have been driving the new car in the simulator and attending some meetings and discussions on the rules and how they will affect driving.
“You know, topics like the energy available in the lap, the active aerodynamics. These are all things everyone is familiar with, but at the moment it’s only words, and graphs and numbers on a screen; all that information eventually will come into reality when the car is alive and when we drive it for the first time.
“Everything the team has been discussing and developing is rooted in the data – it’s in their language, they’ve been talking about graphs and numbers.
“But when we jump in the car, we only have feelings, so these months are really important to try to make sure the team understands what we need.”
Checkmate or Keep Racing?
The elephant in the room is whether 2026 will be Alonso’s final act. He’s previously hinted it could be his last season, but a competitive car might complicate that decision.
“[Pauses.] I have thought about it…” he admitted. “But I will leave the decision for next year, and also how the team is in that moment and what they need from me.
“I’m open to helping the team as much as I can. It’s not about me now. I don’t need to keep racing.
“I’m just here to help Aston Martin become World Champions, whether that’s with me behind the wheel or without me behind the wheel, that’s the main purpose of this second chapter of my career.”
Yet, the lure of victory after years of chasing a truly competitive car could sway him.
“And yeah, I said I thought about it. If things go well, I think it’s a very good moment to stop because, as you said, I’ve been chasing a competitive car and a competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it’s a very good way to close my career,” he reflected.
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After a long pause, he added a twist: “Let’s say that if we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”
For Alonso, it’s clear the fire still burns – if Aston Martin can deliver a winning machine, he might just bow out on top. If not, F1’s senior warrior may fight on.
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