Former Renault team principal and current Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has hinted that Fernando Alonso could retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season. Alonso signed a multi-year contract extension with Aston Martin earlier this year, ensuring that he enters the new power unit regulations in 2026 as a driver for the Silverstone-based team. By the time the 2026 season concludes, the Spaniard will be 45 years old and have completed 23 seasons in the pinnacle of motorsport. Briatore, who is also Alonso's manager and has been for two decades, currently sees the first year of the new regulations as the Aston Martin driver's last, for the time being. “I don’t know [about his future]. I believe [at Spa-Francorchamps], for example, he was very smart," Briatore said on the Formula For Success podcast. "He did one pit stop and this was the way to go, because of his experience. “If you ask me if Fernando wants to continue after we finish in the contract, our last year will be 2026 for the moment. “What he wants to do after, I don’t know. Does he want to continue for one more year?"
Alonso still hungry
Despite his age, Alonso's hunger to succeed has not decreased. If anything, the Spanish driver is hungrier than ever, although it has been a difficult season for Aston Martin. Aston Martin has failed to match it's heights from last season, which saw the two-time world champion claim seven podiums in the opening 13 races. Alonso's age has not slowed him down, with Briatore having "never seen" a driver with the level of commitment that the Aston Martin star has. “The performance is there," continued Briatore. "You see the performance of Fernando, it’s there. It’s not a question of him losing concentration, during the race he’s always there. “If he’s 11th, he wants to be 10th. If he’s 10th, he want to be ninth. He wants the car to be competitive. He’s qualifying well, he’s racing well. “I don’t know, honestly, if he wants to stop with 2026 as his last year or if he wants to go ahead. Honestly, I don’t know. “It depends on the feeling he has about racing and the timing, I don’t know if he’ll have a family at the time and whatever. “But for sure, he is somebody unique. I’ve never seen somebody like that, so determined every day, every day, every day. Never give up. Unbelievable.”
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