Fernando Alonso on 2027: “I’ll still be here” – but in what capacity?

Will Fernando Alonso drive another season in Formula 1? There is still no clear answer to this question. However, some groundwork for 2027 has already been laid. At least the colour is clear. The 2026 season is approaching its final third, and most Formula 1 teams have either officially confirmed their drivers for next year (including Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing as of this week) or have them locked in anyway through long-term contracts. Aston Martin is one of the teams at the centre of speculation.

Two weeks ago in Madrid, the talk was already: all eyes on Alonso at his home Grand Prix. Yet the Spaniard did not announce his retirement from the sport. He hinted that he wanted to take his time over the decision. He also mentioned a role in endurance racing for Aston Martin as an option. Or another job in green?

Commitment to Aston Martin

In the run-up to the race weekend in Azerbaijan, Alonso said: “Yes, I’ll still be here. I’ve said many times that I’ll carry on racing, whether in Formula 1 or in other racing series. I don’t know exactly yet. As long as I’m in Formula 1, I’ll stay with this team, whether I’m racing or not, because I love this sport. Formula 1 is my life. Motorsport is my life, and it always will be.”

Alonso is now 45 years old. So that would mean: if he were still driving in Formula 1 in 2027, he would already be 46 years old by the second half of the season. If you take the early days of Formula 1 into account, that’s a long way off the record (Louis Chiron drove the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix at the age of 55), but in the modern era it’s a rarity. Alonso’s comments also leave open the possibility of a consultancy role at Aston Martin. And other forms of racing. For Alonso, enjoying himself whilst driving is also important – something he unfortunately doesn’t get with the current Formula 1 regulations. That’s why he repeatedly campaigns for changes to the engine regulations – and is he perhaps also lobbying with his own future in mind?

He’d like to do endurance racing, but when and how?

Alonso took a break from Formula 1 in 2019 and 2020; he had previously competed in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in 2019 also the 24 Hours of Daytona. However, Alonso revealed that he is unlikely to tackle the Le Mans 24-hour race in 2027. At least not alongside Max Verstappen. When asked about a joint Le Mans outing, Alonso said: “Max would need to have a bit more free time in his calendar for that. I don’t think that’ll happen next year. Perhaps in the future.” Max Verstappen wants to drive the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and Spa in 2027, not Le Mans (read more about his plans for 2027 here).

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However, if Alonso isn’t driving for Aston Martin in F1 in 2027, the team would have to find a replacement. The later that happens, the worse things will look for the team. So is this a hint that we’ve known who the top driver for 2027 will be for quite some time now? We’ll see. In any case, Alonso will remain with us in some capacity.