In the Thursday afternoon before the Hungarian Grand Prix, a small tremor swept the paddock. Suddenly, without anyone expecting it, Fernando Alonso confirmed his continuation with Aston Martin and in Formula 1. Specifically, when asked about his future, Alonso said “I won’t move, I have a contract”.
Consulting Aston Martin about Alonso’s words we encounter a nuance. What the Asturian said in Hungary does not mean that he has decided to keep racing in Formula 1. What Alonso’s words really indicate is that he will not change teams: if he chooses to retire, he will stay with Aston Martin.
“I won’t move, I have a contract”
It was an unexpected bombshell. Adding some spice, Formula 1 gathered the two Spaniards, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, with the lone Argentine, Franco Colapinto, for the official pre-Hungarian Grand Prix press conference. Three drivers who, in addition to the World Cup final, share something more important to them: their contracts expire this year.
And the question at hand arrived: “What do you know about your future?” Both Sainz and Colapinto dodged with stock phrases and without going into too many details, but when it was Alonso’s turn, the hare was sprung: “I won’t move. I have a contract.” It seemed that Alonso was confirming his continuation.
Hours later, and after consultations with Aston Martin, it seems that the reality is not exactly like that. Alonso’s words were not aimed at confirming his continuation as an active driver, but rather to deny the rumors that had flared up again in the press: even if he retires, Alonso will stay with Aston Martin in 2027.
And indeed in the last hours new reports have resurfaced linking Alonso with a potential return to Alpine if Aston Martin’s improvements don’t fully work at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort. The Asturian seems to be clear that once he stops being a driver he will remain involved with the green team.
Alonso will ponder during the summer break whether to continue or not in Formula 1, and he already said he would not make the decision based on Aston Martin’s performance, but rather depending on whether the new Formula 1 regulations take shape and the challenge of driving these cars begins to rise for him.
Fernando Alonso will stay with Aston Martin in 2027, that is what seems to be confirmed. What we still do not know is whether he will do so as a driver.
Images | Formula 1
