Fernando Alonso, Spanish driver of the Aston Martin F1 team, recently renewed his contract with the team. Aston Martin Formula 1 boss, Mike Krack, admitted he had doubts about Alonso’s decision to stay with the team before the announcement was made. However, Alonso chose to commit to the team for a few more years, ensuring that their partnership will continue at least until 2026. This decision comes after Alonso had considered whether he wanted to continue in the series due to concerns about the increase in the number of races on the calendar. Despite these concerns, Alonso decided to sign a new contract and compete with Aston Martin, which will partner with Honda for the upcoming regulatory changes in Formula 1.
Krack acknowledged that he was initially not convinced that Alonso would choose to extend his contract. Alonso made it clear when he joined the team that the demanding schedule and travel requirements of Formula 1 affected his energy. He believed that to succeed in the sport, it was necessary to be fully committed and give 100%. Krack understood Alonso’s perspective and had concerns that he might decide to pursue other interests outside of Formula 1. However, he was relieved and pleased to see that Alonso’s love for the sport outweighed any desire for a different lifestyle.
Before making his decision, Alonso expressed his intention to discuss his future with Aston Martin as his top priority. Although he had some preliminary discussions with other teams, Krack praised Alonso for being true to his word and prioritizing his discussions with Aston Martin. Alonso made it clear that he needed to decide whether he wanted to continue in Formula 1 before considering other options. Krack appreciated Alonso’s honesty and commitment throughout the process and was happy that it resulted in a positive outcome.
Looking ahead, Krack revealed that Aston Martin is also gearing up to enter discussions with Lance Stroll, the current driver of the team, about a new contract in the coming weeks. The team is eager to secure Stroll’s future alongside Alonso and continue building a strong partnership.