Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso said it would be difficult for him to retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2026 if the team is not competitive next season.
The 44-year-old double champion's contract expires at the end of next year, and Alonso has said he has considered leaving Formula 1.
"If things go well, I think it's a very good time to stop because I've been chasing a competitive car and competitive racing for many, many years and if I have that, it will be a very good way to end my career," Alonso said, Aston Martin said.
"Let's say that if we are competitive, there is a greater chance that I will stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very difficult to give up without trying again," the Spanish driver added, according to the BBC.
Alonso won the titles in 2005 and 2006 driving for Renault, and has not won a race since 2013, when he triumphed in the race in Spain driving for Ferrari.
Alonso was runner-up three times in four years at Ferrari, and in 2010 and 2012 he was five and four points behind champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, despite driving a weaker car.
In 2014, he moved to McLaren, whose Honda engines were the worst in the competition at the time.
At the end of 2018, he retired from Formula 1, after which he triumphed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship, and also participated in the Indianapolis 500 and the Dakar Rally.
Alonso returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with the Alpine team, from where he moved to Aston Martin two years later. He started the season well, finishing on the podium six times in the first eight races, before the team folded.
This season, Aston Martin is seventh in the constructors' championship, and Alonso is 14th in the drivers' standings, two points and three positions behind teammate Lance Stroll.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has invested heavily in the team in recent years, with legendary designer Adrian Newey joining the team in March, after leaving Red Bull.
Alonso said he sees 2026, which introduces new engine and chassis rules, as an opportunity and that he has been impressed by his first experiences working with Newey.
"He's an incredible person and everyone in the team learns from him," Alonso added.
He said he believes the team has put together all the ingredients needed for triumph.
"I'm pretty confident about that. The only thing is when. That's probably my only question in this project. In my case, having driven the last few years of my career for Aston Martin, I want to experience success with the project. But I know it takes a little time to put all the pieces together," Alonso said.
"Aston Martin's title fight is more or less guaranteed in the future, we have everything we need to fight for the world championship. Then, to finish the job and win the title, you also need some external factors, you need help from competitors, you need a little luck," Alonso added.
The Formula 1 championship continues on October 5th with the Singapore Grand Prix.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
