Fernando Alonso has admitted why he was ‘a little bit afraid’ about one aspect before signing a new contract with Aston Martin through at least the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Silverstone squad confirmed on Thursday that Alonso has put pen to paper to remain at Aston Martin. He was due to be out of contract at the end of the 2024 season and was a key figure for the driver market. Mercedes and Red Bull had each shown interest in his situation.
Alonso was the only active Formula 1 world champion available to sign for the 2025 season. But he has chosen to commit to Aston Martin for a minimum of a further two years. It even means Alonso will reunite with Honda in 2026 when they supply Aston Martin’s power unit.
Fernando Alonso admits F1 left him ‘afraid’ before signing a new contract at Aston Martin
Honda will join forces with Aston Martin when Formula 1’s engine and technical regulations both change in 2026. The Silverstone squad will also become the Japanese brand’s works F1 team. Honda announced they will return to F1 will a full-blown engine project in May 2023.
So, Honda will now produce Alonso’s engines again after his infamous ‘GP2 engine’ outburst at the 2015 Japanese GP while driving for McLaren. But it was not the guarantee of working with Honda again that concerned Alonso before agreeing to a new contract at Aston Martin.
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Instead, Formula 1’s ever-expending calendar set Alonso’s alarm bells off while he decided if the 2005 and 2006 champion wanted to commit to racing until he is 45. Alonso will be 43 on July 29, is currently competing in his 21st F1 season and faces a record 24-round calendar.
“It was not a racing factor, it was more the travelling,” Alonso noted, via quotes by The Race. “Looking at this calendar, I was a little bit afraid that this will be heavy on me.
“[I] needed a few races or weeks to really think of myself if I was ready to commit for more years in Formula 1”.
Fernando Alonso must stay in F1 until 2031 to break the top 10 oldest drivers to start a Grand Prix
Alonso signing his new contract with Aston Martin through at least 2026 will see him race in Formula 1 when the Spaniard is 45 years old. Yet the Oviedo native will not crack the top 10 oldest Formula 1 drivers of all time. Alonso will need to continue racing in F1 through 2033.
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Monegasque icon Louis Chiron is the oldest Formula 1 driver of all time so far after entering the 1958 Monaco GP at 58 years and 277 days old. Chiron further holds the F1 record as the oldest driver to ever start a Grand Prix at the 1955 Monaco GP at 55 years and 292 days old.
Alonso would also have to continue racing in F1 through the 2031 season to secure a top 10 spot for the oldest drivers to start a Grand Prix. Rudolf Schoeller is currently 10th at 50 years and 98 days when he contested the 1952 German GP. The top 10 drivers were in the 1950s.
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