Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, is aware that his permanent farewell to Formula 1 is fast approaching. Currently contracted with Aston Martin until 2026, he will be 45 years old when his contract ends. “I know that the time is near when I will say ‘bye bye’ to Formula 1 for good. I’m not sure what I’ll do then,” he admits.
The Spanish driver had previously bid farewell to the premier class of motorsport at the end of 2018, following a challenging period with McLaren. However, he made a comeback with Alpine in 2021. Since 2023, he has been racing for Aston Martin, the luxury venture of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. By the end of this season, weather permitting, Alonso will have more than 400 race starts to his name. This makes him, by far, the most experienced driver on the grid, having made his Formula 1 debut with Minardi in 2001.
Now, a ‘final goodbye’ is on the horizon, he reveals in an interview with the Times. “I know that the time is near when I will say ‘bye bye’ to F1 for good. I’m not sure what I’ll do then,” Alonso reiterates.
‘It Takes Away Everything in Your Life’
Alonso continues, “It’s a strange thing because we are privileged people. Only 20 drivers in the world can call themselves Formula 1 drivers, so it makes sense that you want to keep doing this as long as you’re fast and happy. But at the same time, it takes away everything in your life that makes you happy. For instance, you see your family less.”
Max Verstappen, currently 26, has previously indicated that he might retire from the sport after his current contract with Red Bull ends in 2028, so he can pursue other things in life. “That’s what I thought when I was Max’s age,” responds Alonso. He adds that he assumed he was signing his last F1 contract with McLaren in 2007. Seventeen years later, he’s still on the grid. The question now is: for how much longer?
