Fernando Alonso issues latest F1 retirement update

Fernando Alonso has issued his latest update on when he could retire from Formula 1, and what would have to happen to make him decide to quit. 

The Aston Martin driver's contract expires at the end of 2026, which will be his 23rd season in the pinnacle of motorsport. 

It has been a difficult couple of seasons for Alonso, who rapidly found himself back in the midfield fight after spending 2023 as a regular podium finisher. 

No podiums have been claimed by the two-time champion in the last two campaigns, with the current season having been a frustrating one. 

Aston Martin has openly applied maximum focus to next year's new power unit regulations, which Adrian Newey has been working on at the outfit's Silverstone base. 

Next year is a pivotal one for Alonso, as it will, ultimately, decide if he wants to continue beyond 2026 and into 2027. 

He has openly acknowledged that 2025 has been a difficult season, but that he will continue to race as long as he feels "motivated and physically at the level" to race in F1.

"Difficult to know your own performance — if it has changed somehow, if you are better or worse — as long as you don't have a competitive car and environment that probably wakes up your feelings and your competitive spirit. 

"That is a little bit not ready now, when you are not fighting for big things. But 2023 was a good example of that — when the car was up there in the podiums. So yeah, I have self-confidence. 

"I have a lot of trust in the team that next year we can put things right and fight for something more important. 

"And, yeah, as long as I feel competitive and I feel fast, motivated and physically at the level, I will keep racing."