“Before I would have said maybe 41 or 42. Now I think I can maybe ride for a few more years. If you’re motivated and committed to the cause, you can ride until 48, 49 or maybe even 50,” said the 42nd -year-old Spaniard at the launch of his team Aston Martin’s new car on Monday.
But F1 demands “total dedication”. The 2005 and 2006 world champion has not yet made a decision regarding his own future. Alonso only has one contract left for this season.
“I can keep going for a few more years, but I don’t know if I will ride until 50 with such a demanding calendar. Not because of my abilities, but because there are other things in life that interest me,” said the Asturian, who is contesting his 21st Formula 1 season. “As I move forward, I’ll see what my options are.”
“There are only three world champions in the starting field”
Alonso described Aston Martin as his first interlocutor if he were to continue his career beyond this season. The 32-time Grand Prix winner also knows how attractive he is for other teams.
“There are only three world champions on the grid and only one of them is available in 2025,” noted Alonso. “I’m in a good position.”
Max Verstappen is at Red Bull long-term, Lewis Hamilton is moving from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025.
This means there will be a free cockpit at Mercedes next year, and Alonso is considered an option. Was that why he had already been in contact with Mercedes? “Not at all,” replied the veteran.
You don’t have to have any doubts regarding your fitness despite your old Formula 1 age. “I feel fitter than ever,” emphasized Alonso. “We would be happy to work with Fernando until 2025 and in the years beyond,” assured Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack at the presentation of the AMR24.
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Alonso’s teammate is Canadian Lance Stroll. Alonso smugly commented on the move of his ex-McLaren stable rival Hamilton (2007) to Ferrari, which the seven-time world champion had also argued with his “childhood dream” of driving for the Italians: “Twelve months ago it wasn’t his childhood dream, right? Or two months ago, because back then it was a different dream.”
Alonso drove for Ferrari from 2010 to 2014, but missed his desired third world title with the Reds.
