Alonso: If I don't feel fast, I'll be the first to raise my hand

Alonso made his statement when his future at Aston Martin beyond 2026 was brought up, especially as the team now have Adrian Newey working on their new car for 2026, which will be built under the new set of chassis and power unit regulations.

The presence of Newey naturally provided optimism that Aston Martin—despite their current dire state—can be contenders for wins, if not even championships, which is all backed up by the huge investment Lawrence Stroll has put into the team, which now boasts an impressive headquarters in Silverstone that houses a state-of-the-art wind tunnel that has recently started operation.

Alonso, who is now 43 years old, joined Aston Martin back in 2023, coming from Alpine, and the double F1 champion was asked up to what age he might continue racing, as his current contract runs till the end of 2026, when his team may suddenly become competitive, offering him a chance to fight for wins and maybe that elusive third title.

He said: "Not at 50, but I don't know. That's why we kept open the possibility as well. I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations—and I wanted to experience the 2026 rules and Honda coming to the team.

"Then the surprise that Adrian [Newey] was joining the team a few months after that. There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract. But after 2026, I don't know. I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am.

"Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team," he pointed out. "So we said let’s do it until the end of 2026, and then from then on I think I have an incredible relationship with Lawrence [Stroll] and with Lance.

"We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team. I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need.

"If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated. If it's in another position, or I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand," the Spaniard maintained.

The future for Alonso with Aston Martin might not only be in a driving capacity, as it appears that he may have a different role with them in the future.

He added: "I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel. But my contract is much longer than my racing career, so I will stay with this team for many, many years in a different role.

"If that means we can win a World Championship even when I’m not behind the wheel, I will still feel very proud of the project," Alonso insisted in conclusion. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)