Fernando Alonso: 5 minutes of contract negotiations, no guarantee of fun

Ahead of the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia, Aston Martin announced: Yes, Fernando Alonso will still be racing in Formula 1 in 2027. The two-time world champion still has the fight in him; despite regulations that are not to his liking and a car that isn’t delivering the desired performance, he is continuing to race in Formula 1.

It had dragged on a little before the official announcement was made. At his home race in Madrid just under a month ago, Alonso had hinted that he still needed a bit more time. Between the races in Baku and Sepang, everything was then sorted.

Alonso: 5-minute chat with Lawrence Stroll

Ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Alonso revealed how the conversation with team owner Lawrence Stroll had gone: “It wasn’t that long ago. The conversation with Lawrence was very straightforward. We didn’t have much to discuss. We both wanted to carry on at that point. It was a five-minute conversation, and then we announced it.” No sooner said than done.

Alonso had repeatedly emphasised, to great public effect, that the current regulations, with their high proportion of electric power, did not give him any driving pleasure. He had also made his future in Formula 1 contingent on this. Apart from the slightly adjusted split to 60:40 between internal combustion and electric power – a decision that had been made some time ago – nothing has changed in the regulations since those comments were made. So why the change of heart?

More fun in 2027?

Alonso: “I can’t guarantee that 2027 will be more fun, but it’s a commitment you have to make to yourself. Ultimately, I feel fast, I feel motivated, and I feel that I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”

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Alonso still feels the fire

And the Spaniard revealed: “When I’m sitting at home watching races on the telly, I feel I could do better than them. I felt that way even when I wasn’t in Formula 1: I’d watch races and think, ‘Wow, that wasn’t right.’ I’ve always felt that fire inside me – to be part of it and try to do better. And I still feel that now. As long as I have that inside me, I don’t think it’s time to stop yet.”

The Spaniard explained: “The decision was more about the rules and how much fun it is to drive these cars under those rules. We’re heading to an incredible circuit now. The middle sector, however, will be a bit of a let-down because we can’t use the battery there. Otherwise, the battery won’t last for the three consecutive straights. On those three straights, you have to use the battery to 100 per cent. So the rest is just for recharging the battery. These are the problems we’re currently struggling with when it comes to pushing the cars to their limits in terms of grip. But I’ve decided that next year, with the 60:40 rule, and in the second year with the new regulations, there might be a better compromise in this regard.”