Despite making waves in 2023 with his podium success at Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso has been advised by fellow racer Tom Coronel that his time in the limelight has run its course. Alonso, now 43, is currently participating in his 22nd Formula 1 season, and indications from PlanetF1.com suggest he may not be retiring anytime soon, thanks to a multi-year contract with Aston Martin.
In his two-year stint with Aston Martin, Alonso has proven himself to be an indispensable asset to the team. His journey in Formula 1 began with Minardi in 2001. From there, he moved on to Renault, where he clinched back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006. However, his subsequent stints at McLaren and Ferrari did not yield the same level of success, resulting in a two-year break from the sport. He made his comeback in 2021 with Renault’s rebranded team, Alpine, before making the switch to Aston Martin.
Alonso’s first year with the Silverstone team marked a comeback of sorts for the double World Champion. He was a regular on the F1 podium, boasting eight top-three finishes and coming close to his first Grand Prix victory since 2013. While he couldn’t maintain this momentum into the following season, he did secure a new multi-year contract which will keep him on the track when design maestro Adrian Newey’s first Aston Martin F1 car is unveiled in 2026.
However, Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel believes it would be in Alonso’s best interest to pass the torch and let someone else pilot Newey’s inaugural Aston Martin car. In his 2025 F1 predictions shared with the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com, Coronel earmarked Alonso as the year’s ‘biggest disappointment’.
“Alonso,” Coronel stated, “there comes a time to enter the scene and a time to exit. As much as I admire Alonso for his dedication and racing prowess, I believe he should step aside. He’s had a successful career, he should consider transitioning into a different role within motorsports.”
Coronel suggests that Alonso could take on a mentorship role, pointing out that he’s already guiding Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. “His era is ending, and it’s been that way for a while now,” Coronel added. “While his name and reputation command great respect, I believe it’s time for him to surrender his seat to the next generation.”
