Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has confirmed his commitment to Formula 1 well beyond his 46th birthday. The veteran driver, who turned 45 this past July, secured his future by signing a new contract with Aston Martin that keeps him in the cockpit alongside teammate Lance Stroll for the 2027 season. According to fernando Alonso, Extending his Aston Martin contract followed a five-minute conversation with team owner Lawrence Stroll, a deal that will see the two-time world champion continue racing past the age of 46. I had to stop,” Alonso said. “I had to switch off from Formula One.
Reflecting on the swift process behind the deal, Alonso explained that the decision came down to a simple, five-minute conversation with team owner Lawrence Stroll. “Sitting with Lawrence was very straightforward, we didn’t have much to discuss,” Alonso told reporters on Thursday. “We both wanted to continue at that point and it was a five-minute talk.”
This contract extension arrives despite a difficult campaign for the Silverstone-based outfit. Currently 10th in the standings out of 11 teams, Aston Martin has struggled for pace, managing only three points across the first 15 rounds—all of which were secured by Alonso. The Spaniard acknowledged that his decision was not made lightly, admitting there are no guarantees that the 2027 season will offer a more competitive experience.
Alonso, who holds the record for 440 race starts since his 2001 debut, maintains an unshakeable drive to compete. He noted that even when the car is not performing, he feels more capable than those he watches on television. “If I’m sitting at home watching TV, watching races, I will feel that I can do better than them,” he said, recalling how he felt during his hiatus from the sport.
That two-year break between 2019 and 2021 was a pivotal period for the driver. Alonso credited that time away as vital for his longevity, allowing him to reset and gain a broader perspective on the sport. He emphasized that he needed to step back to experience other disciplines, such as IndyCar and prototype racing, which he believes ultimately made him a more complete and adaptable driver.
His return to the grid has also required balancing family life with the demands of his career, especially following the birth of his first child with partner Melissa Jimenez earlier this year. With a laugh, Alonso revealed that his family life is impacted by the team’s current performance struggles. “She’s feeling the pain also this year and she’s worried about my health when we are not competitive,” he shared. “She prefers me away when we are not competitive.”
Throughout his extensive career, which includes his world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, Alonso has navigated a wide array of technical changes. From V10 and V8 engines to the modern hybrid and ground-effect era, he continues to lean on his ability to adapt to varying regulations and vehicle types as his primary strength.
