Alonso makes Aston Martin vow as future deadline set

Fernando Alonso has insisted that if he chooses to continue racing in 2025 then remaining with Aston Martin is his "priority" rather than replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

The two-time F1 champion had previously expressed an intent to race on for many years, only to drop a bombshell during the season-opening weekend in Bahrain that he could retire at the end of the season.

Should the 42-year-old do so for what would be the second time in his career, that would only add further intrigue to the driver merry-go-round sparked by Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari.

Alonso has now confirmed he will not keep Aston Martin waiting too long for a decision. Speaking to select media, including RacingNews365, he said: "I don't want to wait maybe until summer because I think that will be unfair for me and the team if they have to find more options and things like that.

"But I don't want to rush as well and to make a decision while my head is not into next year. As I said, my head is so focused now on the things that I would love to test on the car after the learnings of the first few events.

"Everything is so exciting about the performance that if I need to think about next year like this, now is not the right time to think."

Aston Martin first choice, not Mercedes

Despite Alonso raising doubts over his F1 future, the Spaniard has been linked to the Silver Arrows for next season and his former McLaren team-mate's vacant seat.

Red Bull also currently has a spot available for 2025, as Sergio Perez's contract expires at the end of the season.

If the veteran decides to remain in F1 next season, though, he has stressed his first choice will be to sign a contract extension with Aston Martin.

"The first office that I will go to is Aston Martin's office, and that will be my priority, my loyalty to them," Alonso insisted. "And I'm thankful for the opportunity they gave me two years ago.

"If we reacgh an agreement, that will be the decision if I keep racing. If I don't reach an agreement with Aston Martin I will look elsewhere. But that will be the second opportunity."