Fernando Alonso commits to Aston Martin for 2027 Formula 1 season

Fernando Alonso will race for Aston Martin in the 2027 Formula 1 season after deciding to extend his career by at least another year. BBC Sport reported that the decision was announced on Tuesday, with the 45-year-old Spaniard explaining that confidence in his own performance remained the strongest reason to continue.

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Speaking to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson, Alonso said he still believed he could match other drivers for speed and would find it difficult to watch from home while feeling capable of competing. The two-time world champion, whose F1 career began in 2001, said retirement would become easier to accept if he felt his abilities or reactions had declined. He does not believe that point has arrived.

His decision comes despite criticism of the hybrid power units introduced for 2026. Alonso told the BBC that reconciling his dissatisfaction with the cars and his desire to keep racing had been the hardest part of the choice. He expressed hope that planned changes to the balance between combustion and electrical power would improve the driving experience, while welcoming the sport’s willingness to consult drivers and teams.

Aston Martin’s technical leadership also helped persuade him to stay. Alonso identified managing technical partner Adrian Newey as a major influence, saying the team was moving in the right direction after a difficult start to the season. According to the BBC, a substantial car update introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix brought a significant performance improvement. Alonso said he wanted to continue working with Newey rather than leave after their troubled first season with the new car.

He also backed engine partner Honda to address its problems, while stopping short of promising a turnaround in 2027. Alonso acknowledged that the difficulties had been hard to experience after his earlier spell with Honda-powered McLaren cars. Nevertheless, he said changes within Honda made sense to him and that his faith in Aston Martin had survived the team’s disappointing results.

Aston Martin has also confirmed that Lance Stroll will remain alongside Alonso next season, the BBC reported. Alonso left open the possibility of racing beyond 2027, but gave no firm commitment on a longer stay. For now, his decision secures another season with the team as it works to improve its competitiveness.