Fernando Alonso was the subject of rumors about a possible move to Mercedes or Red Bull before deciding to renew his contract with Aston Martin. The 42-year-old driver had a previous contract with the team that was about to expire at the end of this year, and with the driver market quite active due to Carlos Sainz Jr.’s move to Ferrari, Alonso’s name was thrown into several grid vacancies. However, the two-time world champion chose to extend his stay with the Silverstone-based team. Alonso has now confirmed that he had discussions with rival teams before finalizing his new contract.
The Spanish driver signed a two-year extension with Aston Martin. He explained that it is common for drivers to explore other options when looking for a new contract. Alonso expressed his desire to see what the market had to offer and listen to proposals from different teams. There were rumors suggesting he could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes or even take Sergio Perez’s place at Red Bull.
Despite the speculations, Alonso stated that staying at Aston Martin was the most logical decision for him. He emphasized that he felt more valued and appreciated by the Silverstone-based team. The discussions he had with other teams did not lead to any concrete conclusion, and it would have required significant time to finalize a move.
“In my mind, Aston Martin was the obvious choice. In the end, it was the best decision. It’s where I felt most loved after all the conversations. The other discussions were superficial and did not result in any conclusion, or required more time,” explained Alonso.
The introduction of new regulations in Formula 1 in 2026 could potentially shake up the established order. This particular year will be crucial for Aston Martin, as they will become a factory team in partnership with Honda. This partnership would allow Alonso’s team to have the same level of resources as teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.
Furthermore, Alonso mentioned that a one-year extension with Aston Martin would not make sense for him. From the start, he made it clear to the team that he was only interested in a multi-year contract. The Spaniard also noted that he saw a genuine desire to work together from the British team, which influenced his decision to sign a new contract.
Arguably, Fernando Alonso has great aspirations for his future with Aston Martin. The 42-year-old driver hopes to compete for the world championship in 2026, as this would fulfill his wish of winning a third title. However, for now, the Spanish driver remains focused on achieving good results for the British team in the current season.
