“Retirement not an option” says Alonso as new deal keeps him in F1 until 45.
Fernando Alonso’s pursuit of the third world championship which has eluded him for almost 20 years will further extend what is already the longest Formula 1 career of all time.
12th April 2024, 11:5
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Few drivers in recent decades have raced into their forties. Alonso took the place of another multiple world champion, Sebastian Vettel, who left F1 at the age of 35. But Alonso said yesterday his mind “never went” to the possibility of retirement, and he plans to carry on racing in other series once he leaves the world championship.

“When I stop Formula 1 I will race elsewhere,” he told media including RaceFans. “Maybe Dakar or something like that. “For me, it’s very difficult to really think about a life without a steering wheel in my hands. That will never happen, or not in the short term. I had 99% confidence that I will keep racing next year, so retirement was not an option.”

“Retirement not an option”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/04/12/...n-f1-until-45/


Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin have best 'project' for new F1 regulations in 2026
Fernando Alonso signed a contract extension to remain with Aston Martin until at least the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season; Alonso believes the team are well set for the introduction of new regulations in 2026
Friday 12 April 2024 10:19, UK
Sky Sports

Fernando Alonso says his decision to sign a contract extension with Aston Martin was motivated by his belief that the team have the best "project" for when new Formula 1 regulations are introduced in 2026.

"I think in 2026 we are going into the unknown, for sure, in terms of regulations," Alonso said. "But if I had to choose one, my feeling is, I would choose our project and our engine and our power unit. One, it's because I think they (Honda) are dominating the sport now, they have a very, very strong engine with Red Bull and RB.”

‘Aston Martin have best 'project' for new F1 regulations in 2026’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...ations-in-2026


Alonso signs multi-year contract with Aston Martin
12 Apr 2024, 08:25
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

After months of considerable speculation around the most experienced driver in the history of Formula One, Fernando Alonso has underlined his commitment to Aston Martin Aramco by signing a new multi-year deal.

The new contract will see Alonso race for Aston Martin for at least two more season, which also means that he will stay with the team when the sport embarks on a new technical era. At the same time, the Silverstone-based outfit will make the switch from the Mercedes power unit to Honda in 2026.

"I am very grateful for the trust Lawrence, Martin and Mike have put in me and with Lance I am excited to see what else we can achieve together. This is only the beginning for this project and I am proud to be part of it. I am at my physical best and still hungry. I will give my all as we continue our journey to becoming a world championship winning team."

‘Multi-year contract’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/24487


Martin Brundle shares one ‘incredible’ thing about Fernando Alonso extension
Fri 12 April 2024 08:00
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Martin Brundle has offered his reaction on X after Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso signed a contract extension with the team. Aston confirmed on Thursday evening that Alonso had penned a multi-year new deal.

Alonso was one of many drivers in the final year of his contract, but team principal Mike Krack had already confirmed that the team would try to tie him down in the early part of the season. The Spaniard scored eight podiums for the team last year and has maintained that excellent form into 2024 even though they have regressed.

Martin Brundle raves about ‘exceptional’ Fernando Alonso. Writing on X, Brundle marvelled at Alonso’s ‘incredible’ longevity. He feels it would be worthy of praise ‘in any sport’, not just Formula 1. The Sky Sports F1 pundit said: “That man has incredible motivation and staying power. And enduring talent. Exceptional, in any sport, in any era.”

‘One ‘incredible’ thing about Fernando Alonso extension’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...nso-extension/


Fernando Alonso set for awkward F1 reunion as Aston Martin star holds clear-the-air talks
Fernando Alonso has agreed a new contract with Aston Martin that could see him spend a 'lifetime' working with the Silverstone-based F1 squad beyond retirement from racing
12th April 2024, 08:43
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Fernando Alonso's new Aston Martin deal will see him reunite with Honda a decade on from his "embarrassing" public criticism of their engines. The Spaniard is no stranger to Honda power units, having driven McLaren cars propelled by the Japanese manufacturer's creations for three years between 2015 and 2017.

However, it was not a happy partnership amid concerns about both the reliability and the performance of those engines. Alonso's most infamous criticism was broadcast to viewers around the globe during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. After being overtaken by Marcus Ericsson in a Sauber, he told his race engineer: "It feels like GP2. Embarrassing. Very embarrassing."

He repeated the "GP2 engine" barb when he was overtaken by a fresh-faced Max Verstappen in the Toro Rosso, before letting out a frustrated cry. He finished that race 11th, while team-mate Jenson Button also failed to score.

‘Awkward F1 reunion’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...artin-32569391


Alonso: A ‘true pleasure’ to work once again with Honda
12/04/2024 at 09:25
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s upcoming partnership with Honda was an important part of his decision to remain with the Silverstone-based outfit. "Part of the decision to stay at Aston is because they are with Honda for 2026. It was very, very important to me," Alonso said.

"Honda is definitely a manufacturer that has so much success in Formula 1 and in the world of motorsport, it was always a company that I respected. It didn't work for us at McLaren, in the years that they came to the sport, but right after that they fixed all the problems and they are currently dominating the sport.”

"I think they will have a baseline for 2026 that is already very strong, but also they have the capacity in Sakura of building something really nice. After the experience with McLaren-Honda and IndyCar as well, we have now the opportunity to work again together. That for me is a true pleasure."

‘True pleasure’;

https://f1i.com/news/505086-alonso-a...ith-honda.html


ALONSO: ASTON ‘BUILDING’ FOR 2026 TITLE CHALLENGE
The Spanish veteran has just signed a new contract with the Silverstone-based outfit
April 12, 2024
James Fiorucci
FormulaNerds

New facilities and talented people. Alonso is also reassured by Aston Martin’s continued investment in F1, a sure sign that their ambitions are just as high as his own. He stated: “I was very clear to Aston in the first conversations that the appealing part of this project is everything that we are building.

“It was the new campus last year, it’s going to be the wind tunnel this year, it’s going to be the new regulations in 2026 and Honda coming as a partner. And I think that was for me a must, to enter new regulations with a new project, with a new wind tunnel and also with Honda as a partner, it was something for me that it was very important.”

“We have incredibly talented people in the team now in the technical side that will benefit from the new wind tunnel and the new facilities in Silverstone, so there were a lot of factors that made 2026 very appealing with Aston.”

‘Alonso: Aston ‘building’ for 2026 Title challenge’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/al...tle-challenge/


What does Alonso re-signing with Aston Martin mean for F1?
Fernando Alonso re-upping with Aston Martin will have widespread ramifications – for the teams he was linked with and for the free agents still without a drive for next year. So, what does it all mean?
12 April 9:35AM
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Fernando Alonso had been one of the hottest free agents available for the 2025 F1 season. Now, with the news that he has signed a multi-year deal with Aston Martin, it is time to access what it means for everyone else. In typical Alonso fashion, the announcement was provocative and direct, confirmed in a Michael Jordan-esque press release that simply read: ‘I am here to stay.”

What is more immediately critical is the knock-on effect it has on the rest of the paddock, begging the questions: what does it mean for the teams he was linked with, and what impact does it have on other drivers?

Re-signing with Aston Martin might end up being the great market simplifier, cutting through the noise and nonsense by making the logical call. In choosing the stability of home over the seduction of the unknown, Alonso has streamlined the options for his suitors, who, in time, may come to thank him for it.

‘What does it all mean?’;

https://racingnews365.com/unpacking-...n-means-for-f1