Aston Martin appears keen on keeping Fernando Alonso in their lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season if he remains a strong competitor. This sentiment comes from Martin Whitmarsh, the Performance Technologies CEO of Aston Martin, who noted that Alonso’s contributions have been invaluable both on and off the track.
Earlier this week in Tokyo, Honda announced its return to Formula 1 alongside Aston Martin, driven by the introduction of new power unit regulations aimed at enhancing electrical power and sustainable fuel. As Honda rebuilds its reputation in the motorsport arena, the possibility of having Alonso behind the wheel is an enticing prospect.
"Clearly Fernando is doing a great job in the team and I’m delighted to have him as part of our team as he’s making a great contribution both on and off the track," said Whitmarsh. Alonso, now 41 years old, joined Aston Martin for the 2023 season on a multi-year contract and has enjoyed his best performance in years, with four podium finishes in five races, currently placing him third in the drivers' standings.
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Despite their challenging past, especially during Alonso’s tenure with McLaren from 2015 to 2017 — when he famously labeled Honda’s engine a "GP2 engine" at Suzuka — Honda’s current leadership expressed no concerns regarding Alonso’s potential participation in their upcoming partnership.
When asked about the possibility of Alonso racing for Honda, Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, reassured, "The selection of drivers is up to the team to decide. So, if the team decides we’ll have Alonso as a driver again, we will have no objections whatsoever in him driving." This position reflects a growing acknowledgment of Alonso’s capabilities and impact on the team.
Whitmarsh noted that Alonso’s connection with Honda was not a topic of discussion during engine negotiations. However, he emphasized, "It would be fantastic if the double world champion was driving for us in 2026." Alonso’s past grievances with the engine manufacturer are seen as water under the bridge, and both parties look forward to a fruitful collaboration moving forward.
"I think he understands and respects what Honda is doing," Whitmarsh commented, addressing Alonso's previous critical remarks about Honda's performance. Considering that Honda secured consecutive World Championships in 2021 and 2022, it’s clear the partnership stands to benefit Aston Martin as they strive to enhance their competitive edge.
"We’ve got to be aware - and we haven’t said it but we should say it - Honda won the 2021 and 2022 World Championships and unless we can beat them this year they’re going to do it again," said Whitmarsh. This acknowledgment reinforces the stakes at play as Aston Martin engages in discussions for their future with the prestigious manufacturer.
Looking ahead, Whitmarsh acknowledged the unpredictability of Alonso’s career path in the coming years. "Probably 2026, who knows, it’s probably outside his planning horizon, at the moment," he remarked. The need for Aston Martin to provide a consistently winning car for Alonso is critical if they hope to keep him beyond his current tenure.
"As I hope you’ve observed, we’ve made a reasonable step forward this year, we’re not yet where we need to be but we’re continuing to develop the team’s facilities and we’ll get stronger," Whitmarsh added. He remained optimistic that discussions regarding Alonso's future would take place before 2026, with hopes that Alonso would still be competitive and fit enough to drive.
In the end, the joint partnership between Aston Martin and Honda along with the possibility of retaining a talented driver like Alonso reflects a bright outlook. This collaboration could very well reshape the competitive landscape of Formula 1 as they collectively aim for success in the future.
