Fernando Alonso has confirmed that his new contract with Aston Martin includes a role following his racing career.
Alonso's new deal with Aston Martin will keep him racing until at least 2026, but even if he hangs up his helmet, the Spaniard will commit his future to the Silverstone-based team. .
Fernando Alonso: Our relationship with Aston Martin will continue for many years to come
Alonso spoke to the assembled media, including PlanetF1.com, following the announcement of a new racing deal with Aston Martin that will see the two-time F1 world champion remain with the Silverstone-based team until at least 2026. admitted that he has a plan. For following his racing career.
Alonso will turn 43 this season, and his new contract will run until he turns 45, but the new contract, which he admitted is the “longest I've signed in my career,'' is a sign of his continued commitment as a driver. Post-career provisions are also included.
Alonso secured his immediate post-racing career with a deal that saw him take on a new, unspecified role at Aston Martin after deciding to leave F1 racing.
Alonso's new contract runs until the start of new F1 regulations in 2026, and Alonso said negotiations with Aston Martin made it clear he wanted a “lifelong project”.
“That was an important point. I'm not going to lie,” he said.
“Working on a one-year project didn’t make sense to me.
“It's not that I've made a one-year proposal elsewhere or anything, but what I made very clear with Aston in our first conversation is that the attractive part of this project is that everything we're building It was said that there was a new campus and wind tunnel last year, and this year, new regulations for 2026 and Honda will be added as a partner.
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“For me, it was essential and very important for me to have a new project with a new wind tunnel and to actually go into the new regulations with Honda as a partner.
“Part of the decision to stay with Aston is because they will be working with Honda until 2026 and working with Aramco, which is the biggest and best partner in the world.
“We currently have incredibly talented people technically, who will benefit from the new wind tunnel and new facilities at Silverstone, making 2026 a very attractive year for Aston. There were many factors.
“That was the theme, but it's not just 2026. In some ways, it's a lifelong project for me, and this is the longest contract I've ever signed in my career.
“This is something that will keep me connected to Aston for many years to come, and we'll see what role I take and how many more years I drive.
“Even after driving, I will draw on over 25 years of experience in F1, plus another 10 or 15 years outside of F1. I'm going to use this moment to help the team that gave me this opportunity.”
“So this is very appealing to me as well and I am very motivated for the next few years.”
Fernando Alonso: Will continue racing for at least two more years
Asked specifically how long he plans to continue racing before moving into a new role, whether as an advisor or manager, Alonso said he was unsure of anything beyond the next two seasons.
“Hmm, I don't know. I can say for sure that I'm going to drive…I think it's hard to really comment on that because you can't predict when you're going to stop racing or when you're going to get tired of racing,” he said. Told.
“Certainly, it's not going to happen in 2025 or 26 because, as I said, I admit that one of the motivations was to get on board with the new regulations and work with Honda. It is from.”
“But I don't know. Let's keep it that way. At least for another two years.
“But as I said, I won't go into specific years, but it takes a long time to work at Aston and make any progress in other areas.
“When I'm racing, I do everything I can to win and stay competitive with this team, but even when I'm not driving, if I can do great things or be successful, I feel the same way. Even if it's in a different role, I'm going to help the team achieve great things, so let's see.”
He confirmed that he had signed a contract that included a period some time into his racing career, and was quick to point out that his driving period would not necessarily end at the end of 2026.
“I don't know when I'm going to stop driving,” he said.
“So if I'm going to keep driving for years and years and years, that's what I'm going to do. I made a contract to ride in the car, and if it stops a little earlier than I agreed, [for] You will have a different role while driving, yes. ”
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