F1 champion details Fernando Alonso hope ahead of ‘difficult’ future decision

2009 F1 champion Jenson Button has detailed that he hopes Fernando Alonso will continue to compete in the sport next year.

The two-time champion has not yet declared whether he will carry on his F1 career with Aston Martin amid its disappointing campaign thus far.

The 2026 challenger from the Silverstone-based squad has been languishing well down the pecking order, with a Honda power unit that has also lacked performance.

Alonso insisted he would use the summer break to reach a decision, but so far is yet to declare his intentions for 2027.

Button, however, who is a former team-mate of Alonso, thinks the 45-year-old still has plenty to offer.

“I retired aged 36, nine years younger than Fernando, but I was ready,” Button said. 

“I’d spent a couple of years struggling with racing because I didn’t really want to be there. It felt like there wasn’t anything new for me to achieve and when you get to that point you know it’s time to go.

“But I think the difference for Fernando is there’s still an exciting challenge in front of him. 

“Obviously, this year has been tough, but it’s still an exciting time to be at Aston Martin Aramco and to be working with people like Adrian Newey. Any F1 driver would love to race a car designed by him, and to experience firsthand him driving this team forward.”

Alonso has been in this situation before, having opted to walk away from F1 at the end of 2018 to pursue different projects.

However, his next decision to exit the sport will likely be with the understanding that there will be no return again in the future.

“I know how difficult it is to decide your future, and he’s been there once before,” Button added. 

“He left the sport and came back, so he obviously left too early. Now, he will make sure that he’s 100 per cent certain that he doesn’t want to be in the sport before he leaves.

“Fernando’s still got so much more to give in F1. I would love to see him in an Aston Martin fighting for wins. That’s where he should be, and it’s where this team is aiming to be. He hasn’t won as much as he should have. 

“He’s found himself in unlucky situations a few times, one alongside me, but the talent and hunger is still there, which is the key to staying in the sport and being competitive.”