Fernando Alonso fires back: "I don't need Mike Krack to tell me I'm fast"

The 44 year old's contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, making him one of the biggest names in the driver market for 2027. Despite Aston Martin enduring a difficult campaign with just 1 point from the opening seven races, Alonso says retirement is not on his mind because he still feels as competitive and motivated as ever.

Asked about Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack's recent claim that he is "too quick" to retire, Alonso replied: "It doesn't change anything. I don't need Mike to tell me that I am fast. I feel it every lap that I do on track. I have been feeling it always.

"I have not taken any decision. I will wait until probably the summer break, which is August. After summer is Zandvoort, Monza… I think around that time I will probably decide what to do next year.

"I will keep racing because I am feeling fast and I feel motivated and I love what I do. I will not stop now because I don't feel uncompetitive or I don't feel that I don’t enjoy racing. If I race in Formula 1 or not, that's a different story."

While Aston Martin's AMR26 has failed to deliver on expectations under Formula 1's new regulations, Alonso made it clear that his long term commitment to the Silverstone based team remains unchanged regardless of whether he races in 2027.

The Spaniard was central to Aston Martin's breakthrough 2023 campaign and has watched the team invest heavily in its future, including a new factory, Adrian Newey's arrival, a works Honda partnership and Aramco backing. Those long term ambitions remain a major reason why he wants to stay involved.

He said: "I need to enjoy the category, I need to enjoy the feeling of driving this power unit and these regulations. There are many factors to put in place and there are many options to race in the world of motorsport. I still love Formula 1. I am committed to this team also.

"Even if I don't race, my commitment with the team and with the project is the same and is still the same as what it has been for years now. We started this in a way together with some success in 2023 and with a lot of changes in the company and in the campus in Silverstone, now with the partnership with Honda, with Aramco, with the new fuels.

"There are a lot of things that we built together in a way. As I said many times, this team has certain guarantees that it will succeed and it will fight for World Championships. We don't know if that will be next year, in three years' time or in eight years' time.

"That's probably my limitation behind the wheel. But I want to win a World Championship with Aston Martin, with or without driving. That's still the same commitment in my case."

Alonso also rejected suggestions that he could leave Aston Martin for another Formula 1 team, arguing that the speculation is simply a consequence of the team's disappointing season. Speculation that Flavio Briatore led Gucci Racing project for 2027 could reunite the Spaniard with his mentor, has wafted through the F1 paddock in recent weeks.

With only a solitary point scored so far in 2026, Aston Martin have slipped towards the back of the grid despite enormous investment and expectations surrounding Newey's technical leadership heading into the new regulations.

Alonso acknowledged: "There are always rumours. We've been very badly treated by the outside world and it's normal. We are underperforming, we are in a bad moment and when the summer break comes, there are always rumours.

"There are rumours in the top teams, there are rumours also in our case because we are underperforming. But, as I said, my commitment with Aston Martin is beyond my driving time. I believe in this project and we have the right people."

Alonso has previously stepped away from Formula 1 to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 and the Dakar Rally, and admitted that other categories still hold appeal. However, he insists Formula 1 remains unique and that helping Aston Martin recover from its current struggles provides fresh motivation.

"It is still the pinnacle of motorsport and still appealing if we can overcome this situation. To start on the wrong foot and be so far behind now and, if we can reverse this situation and make the car fast and competitive also in the future or as soon as next year, is also an appealing target.

"I never give up and I will not give up now for some difficulties and some slow start. If someone thinks that we will give up now, they don't know the last 25 years of my life!" declared Alonso.
(Reporting by Agnes Cralier at Red Bull Ring)