It’s now official: Fernando Alonso announces that he will continue in F1 and commits “long term”

The news arrived. After many months of rumors and Fernando Alonso’s need to think about what he wanted to do in 2027, the Asturian announced his future this Tuesday.

He had to decide between continuing to drive in an F1 that does not entertain him due to the current engines and in a project that has started badly this year.either continue at Aston Martin in 2027 with another role to face other challenges such as the return to the Dakar, Le Mans or the Indianapolis 500adventures in which fun was guaranteed and in which I could fight to win.

And this Tuesday, the wait is over. It became official. Fernando Alonso will continue in Formula 1 in 2027 after signing a new contract with Aston Martin and assured that he will commit “long-term to this team and contribute to our success”although without specifying whether that “long term” will also be with him at the wheel or in another role after another year or two of driving. In fact, in an interview with ‘AS’ published after the announcement, Alonso said that “I don’t see it as if I’m going to continue for one year, but rather I’m going to continue for the years that I enjoy and that I have the opportunity to be in the team.” He does not rule out continuing several courses, but for now, it will continue in 2027.

A video full of tension

The Spaniard, now 45 years old, made the announcement through a video on social media from the Aston Martin team that left no one indifferent.

The green box warned all its followers an hour before that they had to announce something important, with the image of a black and white chair. Many remembered that when Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from F1 with Aston Martin, they used a similar ‘set’ and also in black and white.

And the opening speech of the video didn’t help. He seemed headed for a retreat.

“F1 has treated me very well. I have had an incredible career. I have traveled all over the world, I have competed for more than 23 years, I have competed in more than 400 Grand Prix and I have achieved more than I had ever dreamed of,” Alonso began in his announcement video.

“It has taken me a little time to make the decision, but now I am very clear. I will retire from Formula 1,” he said, with a silence, which would end with an unexpected twist of the script: “But not yet.” He thus announced that he will continue in F1 in 2027, although without revealing the number of years for which he has renewed his relationship as a driver with the Silverstone team.

“I continue to feel fast, motivated and have a huge passion for Formula 1 and this sport. I am very happy to continue competing in the top category, and this is my life”he said at the end of the video, as reasons for having postponed those enormous challenges that await him outside of Formula 1 and deciding to remain leading on the track a project that has started badly, especially due to the lack of power of the Honda engine.

Alonso is confident that Aston Martin and Honda will manage to come back after this disappointing start to the era and has reiterated his confidence that Honda will be able to shorten his recovery time as much as possible.

I recently said that if I continued, it didn’t have to be just for one year, it could be two or three. And in the team’s subsequent statement, it spoke of a “long-term commitment.” Perhaps, the time when Honda can give it a competitive engine.

What was clear to me to continue is that I did not want to repeat a year like 2026that 2027 should be better. And he is sure that in 2027 the car will do better, above all, because of the confidence that the step forward of the revolutionary Newey chassis presented in Hungarywhich confirmed that the factory’s simulation tools have a good correlation with what happens on the track, something key to creating a 2027 car on which Enrico Cardile He was optimistic a few weeks ago, certain that with the new chassis they had found the right path to follow for next year.

We don’t know the date he has in mind to leave. Maybe not even he knows. But what is clear is that he wants a last dance much better than this year’s. Maybe it will be next year. Or perhaps you prefer to continue waiting. As long as he continues to feel at his highest level, that will depend only on him. He already said it in Madridthat the Spanish fans and Aston Martin they didn’t deserve Fernando He will leave F1 with the current results, and at least, he will drive in 2027 to improve the current situation.

“I firmly believe in what we are building”

“I am very happy to sign a new contract with Aston Martin Aramco. I have taken my time to make this decision, but racing is my life, my passion, and I know that I still have the speed and determination necessary to compete at the highest level. “I am committed to this team for the long term and to contributing to our success.”argued the man from Oviedo in the team’s statement, in which the renewal of his teammate Lance Stroll for 2027 was also announced, something that was taken for granted.

“I firmly believe in what we are building: we have strong leadership, incredible people, partners and facilities. I’m looking forward to creating more memories on the court in front of passionate fans. Their energy creates an environment that inspires me and is what makes our sport special,” he concluded.

I had to value many things

In recent months he insisted that he had to value multiple things, as he acknowledged in an interview in Sports World. There he made it clear that he had to think about what he wanted to do, what was going to entertain him, but also about the amount of trips and events that being in a place entails. F1 with 24 races and more and more responsibilities for the driver. And above all, he pointed to the current regulations, which do not amuse him as a driver.

The man from Oviedo focused on it in recent weeks. Ben Sulayem, president of the FIAwent so far as to say that they would look at how they could help Slingsuggesting that there could be some change in the concession regulations for the most lagging motorists so that Honda could react sooner.

And in Baku, a few days ago, he placed more emphasis on the possibility of applying more adjustments to engine regulationssuch as limiting the power of the battery so that it lasts longer, with the aim of making piloting more pure and fun for the pilots.

It is unknown if FIA and F1 promised him quick and important changes after meeting with Fernando. Nor what they could promise him Lawrence Stroll and Adrian Neweywith whom he met in recent weeks, about the Aston Martin and Honda project. That will be seen in the future. At the moment, the only thing that is known is that FFernando Alonso He wants to continue accelerating.