by VALERIO BARRETTA
Alonso “settled” until 2026
In a market that has so far experienced surprises and scenarios that could not even be imagined until yesterday – such as Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari or the possible move of Max Verstappen to Mercedes – there are those who have chosen the path of continuity. I'm Fernando Alonso And Aston Martinwhich will continue the common path at least until 2026, the year of the debut of the new power units.
The renewal arrived just as rumors were growing about the two-time world champion moving to Red Bull or Mercedes. Hypothesis that Alonso never denied – because he actually spoke with both teams – but in the end loyalty to Aston Martin and to a project that in 2026 will lead to collaboration with Honda, the only winning engine manufacturer in recent years, prevailed. In the press conference for the Chinese Grand Prix, the two-time world champion explained how the agreement for the renewal arrived in a very short time after the Suzuka weekend and the reasons that led him to sign with Aston Martin so long.
Alonso's words
“After Japan we got together and we came to an agreement in two days. So it was very simple. Once the agreement was reached, we announced it and everything is a little simpler than it seems from the outside: there are many rumors, but we have been loyal to each other, we have kept our word“, these are the words of the two-time world champion. “It's never an easy time when you have to make decisions, especially right now, given that for me this is probably my last contract. So yes, I wanted to make sure it was the right decision, first of all to continue racing in Formula 1, and to have the strength and motivation to continue competing for a few more years, on my part. And then after that, making sure that the team has the goals and objectives for the next few years to be ambitious and try to get better and better. I am extremely proud to represent Aston Martin for the coming years“.
“I think that, with the new regulations of 2026, there will be a chance to shuffle the cards and have an opportunity. We will be the only team with the Honda power unit, which is obviously a little different from being a Mercedes customer. So we hope to have a small improvement. Furthermore, I believe that with Aramco and the biofuels that will arrive in 2026 we will have a small opportunity in this field too“, has continued. “The team is getting better and better: there are new facilities, there is a new wind tunnel coming this summer. There are all the conditions to become a very strong team in the future, and I wanted to be part of it“.
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