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Fernando Alonso’s future in motorsport has been a major topic of discussion lately. Speaking in Austria on Thursday, the Spanish driver shared his thoughts on his current mindset, though he stopped short of revealing which path he might choose next.

This season was expected to mark a strong comeback after two challenging years with Aston Martin. With Adrian Newey’s technical expertise, a Honda power unit, and the upgraded Silverstone headquarters, Alonso was tipped to have his most competitive car in years. However, things haven’t gone as planned. Instead, he has struggled at the back of the grid, with a single opportunistic 10th-place finish and one valuable point in Monaco standing out as the only highlight in what has otherwise been a tough season.

A significant upgrade package is expected to arrive either just before or shortly after the summer break, offering hope for improvement. There is also potential for progress in 2027, though nothing is certain. Alonso will turn 45 in July, raising the question of whether he wants to continue in an uncompetitive situation or explore other racing categories in the later years of his career, especially given his proven enjoyment of racing across different disciplines.

Adding intrigue, rumours surfaced a few weeks ago suggesting that Alonso might leave Aston Martin and return to Alpine—alongside his mentor Flavio Briatore—for a fourth stint with the Enstone-based team. While Alonso’s career history shows that almost anything is possible, this particular idea seems unlikely, as he has repeatedly stated his long-term commitment to Aston Martin, where he plans to eventually transition into an ambassador, advisor, or management position. Such a move would be improbable if he were to rejoin Alpine in 2027.

“I have not taken any decision,” Alonso said on Thursday when asked about his future. “I will wait until probably the summer break, which is August, and after summer is Zandvoort, Monza, I think around that time I will probably decide what to do next year. I will keep racing because I’m feeling fast, I feel motivated, and I love what I do. I will not stop now because I don’t feel uncompetitive or that I don’t enjoy racing. If I race in F1 or not, that’s a different story.”

He elaborated on the various factors that could influence his decision.

“I need to enjoy the category; I need to enjoy the feeling of driving these power units and these regulations. There are many factors to consider, and many opportunities across motorsport to race. But I still love F1, and I’m committed to this team. Even if I don’t race, my dedication to the team and the project remains the same as it has been for the past four years.”

Alonso emphasised that he would take pride in Aston Martin’s success, whether as a driver or in another capacity within the team.

“We started this project together with some success in 2023,” Alonso said. “There have been major changes at the company and at the Silverstone campus. Now, with the partnerships with Honda and Aramco, and with the introduction of new fuels, there are several things we’ve built together. As I’ve said many times, this team has the potential to succeed and fight for World Championships. We don’t know if that will be next year, in three years, or in eight years. That might be my limitation behind the wheel! But I want to win a World Championship with Aston Martin—whether or not I’m driving. That commitment hasn’t changed.”

He also underlined that he has nothing left to prove in Formula 1.

“I’ve won two World Championships, and I’ve fought for six or seven titles with cars that weren’t expected to be in contention. My journey in F1 has far exceeded what I ever imagined when I was karting back in Oviedo with my family. So, this is a bonus—being in the top series at my age, still competitive and enjoying what I do. But I don’t just want to be one of the quick guys in F1, or just a World Champion in F1.”

Despite his triumphs in the World Endurance Championship and at Le Mans with Toyota, Alonso believes there are still more challenges to take on. He remains determined to show his speed across various motorsport categories, especially since he missed the chance to secure five, six, or seven F1 titles.

“As I said when I took my sabbatical years, I want to be the most complete driver in the world. That’s why I’ve taken on some of motorsport’s biggest challenges—endurance racing, Daytona, Dakar, Le Mans, and the Indy 500—because being fast across all these categories in the modern era is extremely difficult. Each one demands a different technique and quick adaptation. That adaptability has always been my strength, from go-karts to dunes, ovals, or the 24-hour races. I’ve always known I can adapt quickly, and part of my legacy in motorsport is doing things that others cannot.”

As for where he might go next, Aston Martin’s World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme seems a logical choice, allowing him to stay within the company’s fold, though the team is not currently winning.

“I don’t know, difficult to say,” Alonso remarked. “All of the cars are enjoyable. I drove the Valkyrie a month ago at Paul Ricard—it’s a fun car, surprisingly quick at high speeds with lots of downforce. It runs on Michelin tyres, which is a big advantage, allowing you to drive flat out without limitations like overheating, degradation, or pressure issues. It’s a fast and fun car to drive. Dakar and rallying are fun too, as you’re really dancing with the car. Even Formula E looks interesting—the new four-wheel-drive car launching next year seems quite fast based on their testing. So, all cars are fast and fun.”

Nevertheless, his heart remains in Formula 1—especially if Aston Martin can make significant progress.

“F1 is still very special—the pinnacle of motorsport and still incredibly appealing. If we can turn things around and make the car fast and competitive again, even as soon as next year, that’s a very exciting goal. I never give up, and I won’t give up now because of a few difficulties or a slow start. If anyone thinks I’ll quit now, they clearly don’t know the last 25 years of my life…”