News Summary
- Fernando Alonso said he will wait to understand the impact of Formula 1’s 2027 regulations before deciding whether to continue racing.
- The Aston Martin driver again criticized the current cars and contrasted them with the experience of driving historic F1 machinery in Barcelona.
- Alonso confirmed his future will remain linked to Aston Martin, whether as a driver or in another role within the team.
Fernando Alonso has once again left the door open to retirement from Formula 1, saying his decision about whether to remain behind the wheel in 2027 will depend largely on how the championship’s regulations evolve.
The Aston Martin driver has been one of the most vocal critics of the current generation of cars, particularly their driving characteristics. Speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Thursday (10), ahead of the Spanish GP, Alonso said he does not intend to make an immediate decision about his future.
Instead, the two-time world champion wants to assess what changes Formula 1 makes for 2027 and how those changes affect the driving experience.
“It’s a matter of understanding the regulations for next year and the impact they will have on racing and on the driver. These cars are not the best to drive or to enjoy,” Alonso said.
“Next year will be a step in the right direction — or at least I hope so. I need to think about what the best programme is for 2027. I will sit down with the team, and I don’t know whether it will be behind the wheel or in another role, but I will help in any way I can,” he added.
Alonso stressed that he does not expect the decision to come immediately.
“I hope the regulations for next year will be changed again and that this is not the final version. My decision will not come soon,” the Spaniard said.
Alonso has already confirmed that he intends to remain connected to Aston Martin beyond his current driving contract, but he has consistently left open whether he will continue racing in F1. The team has also made clear that retaining him remains a priority.
Alonso contrasts current F1 cars with Senna’s era
Alonso’s comments came one day after he experienced a very different side of Formula 1.
The Spaniard drove several historic cars at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, including Ayrton Senna’s Toleman and McLaren, giving him a direct comparison with machines from previous generations of the championship.
“The best day of the year so far. I drove cars without batteries, just fuel, tyres, lots of noise, ear protection… incredible,” Alonso said.
The experience reinforced his criticism of the current generation, which places much greater emphasis on hybrid energy deployment and complex power-unit management.
Alonso has previously said the current cars have lost some of the adrenaline that traditionally came from driving a Formula 1 car. His latest comments suggest that the character of the next generation will be an important factor in determining whether he wants to continue racing beyond 2026.
Aston Martin future remains open
Alonso’s decision is particularly significant for Aston Martin as the team prepares for a new technical phase with Honda and Adrian Newey playing central roles in the project.
The Spaniard has endured a difficult 2026 campaign, with Aston Martin struggling for performance for much of the season. A ninth-place finish at Zandvoort was only his second points-scoring result of the year, while he retired from the Italian GP after the team stopped his car because of damage.
Despite the difficulties, Alonso has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to the Aston Martin project. His latest comments make clear that retirement would not necessarily mean leaving the team altogether.
For now, however, the 45-year-old wants to see what Formula 1’s next technical changes bring before deciding whether he still wants to compete from inside the cockpit.
The Spanish GP takes place from September 11-13 at Madrid’s new Madring circuit, with qualifying at 4:00pm local time on Saturday and the race at 3:00pm on Sunday. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from Formula 1’s first race in Madrid.
FAQ
Will Fernando Alonso race in F1 in 2027?
Alonso has not yet confirmed whether he will continue as a Formula 1 driver in 2027. He remains linked to Aston Martin and says his decision will depend partly on the direction of the next regulations.
Is Fernando Alonso retiring from Formula 1?
Not yet. Alonso has kept retirement as an option but has not announced a decision. He has also said he could remain with Aston Martin in another role if he stops racing.
Why is Fernando Alonso unhappy with current F1 cars?
Alonso believes the current generation does not provide the same driving enjoyment or adrenaline as previous Formula 1 cars. His experience driving historic machines in Barcelona reinforced that view.
