Aston Martin were concerned the intensity of Formula 1's 24 race calendar might lead Fernando Alonso to call it a day instead of signing a contract extension for at least two more years, team principal Mike Krack revealed.
The 42-year-old double world champion, whose new deal was announced last week, has been instrumental to the British-based team's march up the grid after Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll took control in 2018.
Krack told reporters ahead of the
Chinese Grand Prix weekend: "When you see how Alonso is working, when he is there, how he is interacting, you see that there is only 100%. When he says there is no life around that, it is true.
"Considering that, I had some concerns that he was going to say: 'You know? I want to do something else with my life,' and I was very happy to see that he loves Formula 1 more than private life at this stage," Krack said.
Alonso moved to Aston Martin for the 2023 season from Alpine and secured six podium finishes for his new team.
Targeting at least one more world championship before retiring, Alonso's name had been in the mix for a seat at Mercedes for 2025, following seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton's departure to Ferrari, or champions Red Bull.
Fernando believes in Lawrence Stroll's F1 dream team
Krack attributed Alonso's decision to stay with Aston Martin to his belief in the project, with the team having an exclusive Honda engine supply deal from 2026: "I think what we have here is (Alonso's) desire and absolute passion and even rage to win. Which many, many drivers at this stage of their career do not have."
Alonso's decision to stay with Aston Martin narrows the options available to others looking for a drive for 2025, with Stroll's son Lance the Spaniard's current teammate.
"Aston Martin is Lance's home, we know that, and the whole project has always been around him," Krack said with regard to the Canadian driver's future. "We look for continuity. I have always said that is very important."
Alonso praised his team mate for sometimes being "more sensitive to things .. which is very important for the team" in terms of car set-up in comments at a press conference ahead of Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
"I think the analysis that Lance can reach and can feed back to the team is crucial to us and to improve the car," he added.