Fernando Alonso will stay with Aston Martin in Formula 1 for at least the next two seasons after signing a contract extension with the team on Thursday.
Alonso, a two-time F1 world champion, joined Aston Martin on a two-year deal at the start of the 2023 season and was one of the hottest free agents on the market until 2025. But the Spaniard is now committed to his future at Aston Martin, meaning he will remain with the team until the new technical regulation cycle in 2026 and the start of his partnership with Honda.
Aston Martin announced the news on social media with a five-word statement from Alonso: “I’m here to stay.”
Aston Martin team announcement: Fernando Alonso is here to stay #F1 pic.twitter.com/wTVsg9AhbG
-Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) April 11, 2024
Alonso has said in recent weeks that he first wants to decide whether to continue racing, given he is the oldest driver on the F1 grid at 42, before choosing which team. He has always said his first port of call would be to talk to Aston Martin about a seat.
Aston Martin F1 team principal Mike Krack described the new deal with Alonso as “fantastic news” and praised the “strong working relationship” they have built during their time together.
“We have been in constant dialogue over the past few months and Fernando has been true to his word: when he decided he wanted to continue racing, he told us first,” Krack said. “Fernando has shown that he believes in us, and we believe in him. Fernando is hungry for success, drives better than ever, is fitter than ever and is fully dedicated to making Aston Martin Aramco a competitive force. »
Although the exact length of the contract is unknown, Krack called it a “multi-year deal” that “takes us through 2026,” meaning Alonso will be at least 45 years old when the contract expires.
The story continues. pic.twitter.com/DEtb4R2zxO
– Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) April 11, 2024
In 2026, Aston Martin will become the factory-backed Honda team. Alonso and Honda have previously experienced tension during an ill-fated three-year stint at McLaren, but both parties have made it clear they have no reservations about reuniting at Aston Martin.
Alonso enjoyed a resurgence in form during his time with Aston Martin last year, scoring six podiums in his first eight races with the team and coming close to a win at Monaco that would have ended a victory drought dating back to 2013.
Even though the team’s form dipped in the latter stages of last season and they have failed to challenge for a podium so far this year, Alonso has always been clear in his belief in the long term project to become a racing and championship winning company. under the leadership of its billionaire owner, Lawrence Stroll.
Alonso had been linked with seats at Red Bull and Mercedes for 2025, with the latter considering options to replace Ferrari-linked Lewis Hamilton from next year.
Alonso’s confirmation also locks in the Aston Martin F1 team line-up for the foreseeable future with Lance Stroll, Lawrence’s son, occupying the second seat.
That closes a potential landing spot for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who will be replaced by Hamilton next year and was linked with Aston Martin after his victory in Australia just 16 days after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Max Verstappen was another driver linked with a shock move to Aston Martin after recent tensions within Red Bull. But the Dutchman remains under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028 and said last week in Japan that he was “very happy” with the team.
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