Summary
- Alonso says the final conversation about staying at Aston Martin lasted five minutes.
- The two-time champion made his decision recently after considering his options.
- His desire to keep racing remains stronger than the frustration of an uncompetitive car.
Fernando Alonso says a five-minute conversation with Lawrence Stroll settled his continuation at Aston Martin for 2027, bringing months of speculation about his Formula 1 future to an unusually quick conclusion.
Speaking during media day at Sepang on Thursday, the Spaniard explained that the final discussion was simple because driver and team owner already shared the same intention.
“We didn’t have much to discuss. We both wanted to continue at that point. It was a five-minute talk and then we announced it,” Alonso said.
The announcement keeps Alonso alongside Lance Stroll next season. GRANDE PRÊMIO has updated the 2027 driver grid following Aston Martin’s confirmation.
Five minutes to agree — after a longer personal decision
The brief conversation was the final step, rather than the entire process of deciding whether to keep racing. Alonso explained that he had considered the possible scenarios for next year before committing himself to another season.
He said the decision was recent, without identifying a specific date. Once he had decided to continue, Aston Martin was supportive and the arrangements were ready.
Alonso’s explanation therefore distinguishes the personal question of retirement from the discussion with Stroll: deciding what he wanted required reflection; agreeing to continue together required little negotiation.
Alonso still feels he belongs behind the wheel
At 45, Alonso says his motivation comes from the feeling that he remains competitive. Memories of watching races during his two seasons away from Formula 1 also influenced his decision.
“I still feel competitive and I feel that fire inside when I’m at the race weekend – I feel happier,” he explained.
Alonso described feeling uncomfortable watching from home during his previous absence, believing he could approach situations differently from the drivers on screen. Imagining himself in that position again reinforced his desire to remain in the cockpit.
He has not tied retirement to a particular age or statistical milestone. His stated criterion is whether he continues to feel good and fast behind the wheel.
Staying does not remove Aston Martin’s problems
The renewed commitment comes despite a difficult campaign for Aston Martin and Honda. Alonso acknowledged that preparing for races while expecting limited competitiveness makes motivation harder to sustain.
“You try to be as professional as you can in the preparations and into the race weekend,” he said.
He explained that the team continues its simulations, circuit studies and normal preparation, even though fighting for victories or podiums would give that work a different immediate purpose.
For 2027, Alonso wants disciplined development rather than optimistic assurances. He identified the power unit as the biggest source of hope for improvement, while acknowledging that teams’ confidence during the winter must eventually withstand the reality of racing.
The decision gives Aston Martin continuity, but it also leaves a familiar challenge: turning its resources and ambitions into a competitive car. GRANDE PRÊMIO examined that question in the analysis of why Alonso’s decision raises harder questions than his age.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, from 2–4 October, to Malaysia, which hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang.
F1 today: FAQ
What time does F1 practice start at Sepang?
Friday practice begins on 2 October. FP1 starts at 05:30 BST in the UK, 10:00 IST in India and 14:30 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne. In New York and Toronto, it starts at 00:30 EDT; in Los Angeles and Vancouver, at 21:30 PDT on Thursday. FP2 begins three and a half hours later.
Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas and retiring from F1?
Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026, but says he intends to remain in Formula 1. He has not announced retirement and would consider a reserve role while seeking another race seat.
What happened to Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Piastri was running near the front in Baku before a mistake during a Safety Car restart dropped him out of podium contention. He finished 14th, adding to a difficult 2026 season for the McLaren driver.
How long did Alonso’s Aston Martin contract discussion take?
Alonso says the final conversation with Lawrence Stroll lasted five minutes because both wanted to continue.
