Fernando Alonso, at 45 years old, will compete for Aston Martin in the 2026 F1 season. Alonso, who is currently the oldest driver on the grid, has been part of Formula 1 since 2001, with a break between 2018 and 2020. The veteran driver recently signed a two-year contract with Aston Martin, securing his place in the sport beyond 45 years. This decision was supported by a former F1 driver and ambassador for Aston Martin, who shared his thoughts on the British team’s perspective on Alonso’s age.
Alonso’s contract extension ensures that he will be on the grid when the new regulations come into effect in 2026. Aston Martin is not concerned about his age, as they have committed to him even after he turns 45. Alonso himself has expressed that he could continue competing in F1 until he is 50. believes that Alonso’s dedication is commendable and sees it as a great commitment from the Silverstone-based team to have a driver of his age.
According to de la Rosa, the team’s focus is solely on Alonso’s performance, not his age. The British team acknowledges that Alonso is still performing at his best, considering his age compared to the younger drivers on the grid. Despite his age, Alonso brings a wealth of experience, which is invaluable to Aston Martin.
Aston Martin had a good start to the 2023 season, but struggled with the development of their car as the season progressed, resulting in a disappointing end. However, Silverstone had a decent start to the 2024 season. Alonso expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress last year and this year. He aims to achieve a better position than the previous year.
Alonso a révélé que l’équipe a un plan clair pour le développement de la voiture de 2024. Le processus de développement de l’AMR24 a été plus agressif cette fois-ci, se alignant avec les principales équipes du plateau. Le partenariat entre Aston Martin et Honda pour les groupes motopropulseurs augmentera également les chances de l’équipe de concourir pour des victoires en course.
Aston Martin est actuellement dans une lutte serrée avec Mercedes pour la quatrième place au championnat des constructeurs. Pour rester compétitifs, Silverstone doit constamment mettre à jour sa voiture et éviter de répéter la baisse de performance qu’ils ont connue en 2023.