Fernando Alonso sets timeline for F1 retirement

Fernando Alonso has revealed he does not plan on racing in F1 until he is 50, but admits he still is unsure when he will step away from the championship.

The 43-year-old is the eldest driver on the current F1 grid. His existing Aston Martin contract runs until the end of the 2026 season, by which point he will be 45.

However, whether he extends his deal with the Silverstone squad is still undecided. It is something that has been forced under the radar as a byproduct of the persistent speculation surrounding Max Verstappen.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion's situation at Red Bull is looking increasingly uncertain, which has put Aston Martin front and centre of the silly season rumour mill, as the Dutchman is heavily linked to the team after Adrian Newey and Honda both moved from nearby Milton Keynes.

As a consequence, that has potential implications for Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll, but as the latter is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, conventional wisdom suggests the Spanish driver would be the one to make way, if Verstappen does join.

Despite that, Alonso is more immediately focused on getting to the end of his current deal and then reassessing how he feels - and what position the team is in at that stage.

"Not at 50, but I don't know," he told media including RacingNews365 when asked when he sees himself racing until. "That's why we kept open the possibility as well.

"I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations — and I wanted to experience the 2026 rules and Honda coming to the team.

"Then the surprise that Adrian was joining the team a few months after that. There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract."

Ensuring mutual benefit

At that point, if he does continue, Alonso has indicated he will opt for a series of one-year deals. This would provide both him and Aston Martin the flexibility to manoeuvre.

"But after 2026, I don't know," the two-time F1 drivers' champion said. "I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am.

"Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team. So we said let’s do it until the end of 2026, and then from then on, I think I have an incredible relationship with Lawrence and with Lance.

"We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team. I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need. If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated.

"If it's in another position, or I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand."