Fernando Alonso and his future remain on the Formula 1 agenda, but Adrian Newey believes the Spaniard will continue to defend Aston Martin. The renowned designer and head of the British outfit stated he is confident in the two-time world champion’s stay, despite the speculation that has gained momentum during the current pause in the season.
Alonso’s contract with the team runs through the end of 2026, and the Spanish driver has three potential paths for his future: re-sign with Aston Martin, retire from Formula 1, or pursue a new destination in the paddock. The expectation is that a decision will be made in the coming weeks, before the championship resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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Doubts rose after remarks by Alonso himself during the Barcelona Grand Prix weekend. On the occasion, he stated that “this is probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1,” and explained that he treats every 2026 race as if it could be his last. Rumors also surfaced linking the Spaniard to a return to Alpine, the team where he won his two F1 titles, though he himself has downplayed those speculations.
The difficult moment for Aston Martin in 2026 also fed the questions about the future of the veteran driver. The team sits only tenth in the constructors’ standings with a single point, earned exactly by Alonso. Problems with Honda’s power unit and the car’s underwhelming chassis performance made for a challenging start to the year, although the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend was considered the season’s most promising, thanks to a package of updates that improved the car’s pace and sent Alonso into Q2 for the first time in 2026. Honda is also preparing a new evolution of the power unit for the Dutch Grand Prix.
Asked at the Hungaroring about the importance of keeping Alonso in the team, Newey highlighted the Spaniard’s contribution both on and off the track: “Obviously, Fernando is an incredible driver. He brings a lot to the team, both through his feedback and his ability. For us, of course, this is important. I am quite confident that Fernando is enjoying his time with us and that we will continue our relationship,” he added.
