Alonso suggests he could race in F1 until age 50

Fernando Alonso has claimed that he could race in Formula 1 until he is 50 years of age after exceeding expectations during winter fitness tests.

Alonso, who will turn 43 later this year, is the oldest driver on the grid and is the most experienced competitor in the sport's history with 377 Grand Prix starts and counting.

The two-time World Champion drew praise for his performances at Aston Martin last year, taking eight podiums throughout the campaign en route to fourth place in the Drivers' Championship.

Having showcased that his age hasn't yet slowed him down, Alonso has admitted that he feels he can compete for several more years in F1.

When asked if there is an age he feels he can race to, Alonso told media including RacingNews365: “I don't know... a few years ago I would say that maybe 41 or 42 was the limit.

“Now, after I saw myself last year, motivated and performing well, I was thinking maybe I could keep racing few more years.

“This winter, I've been exceeding the expectations in terms of all the physical tests and everything that I did.

“So I will say that if you are motivated and if you want to commit, you can drive maybe until 48, 49 or even 50.”

F1 exit will be for new challenges

Alonso walked away from F1 at the end of the 2018 season following several years of racing uncompetitive machinery before returning in 2021.

The Spaniard suggested that his next decision to walk away from the sport will likely sprout from wanting to take on different challenges rather than his depleting abilities as a driver.

“At the same time, you have to give up everything in life,” he said. “Formula 1 needs total dedication.

“This is my 24th season or whatever in F1. And I gave my life for 24 years to this sport, which I'm happy [about] and I'm OK with that.

“I can keep doing [it] for few more years but I don't know if I will be racing until 50 with such a demanding calendar and things like that.

“[It's] not for the abilities, but because there are other other things in life that I'm curious [about].”