Fernando Alonso signed a contract extension with Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso holds the record for Formula 1 longevity with 441 Grand Prix starts, sitting ahead of Sir Lewis Hamilton at 396 starts. Despite a career that includes world championships in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, alongside stints at Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine, the veteran driver has faced severe car performance hurdles during the current season at Aston Martin.
Aston Martin Fixes Vibrations That Risked Driver Health
At the start of the season, the Aston Martin car proved nearly unplayable and generated intense vibrations that sparked immediate concerns regarding driver health. Reports indicated Alonso could only manage 25 laps before risking permanent nerve damage, while teammate Lance Stroll faced a stricter threshold of 15 laps. Addressing those conditions earlier in the year, Alonso noted that drivers can push past physical barriers in a car, but acknowledged the unusual nature of the vibrations and the unknown long-term effects.
The team eventually engineered fixes that reversed those trajectory issues. Following points finishes in Monaco and Zandvoort, the Spanish driver secured eighth place at the Grand Prix of Bahrain held in Sepang. That performance marked the best result of the season for Aston Martin, despite starting on slick tires that initially dropped him down the order alongside other drivers.
Alonso Outperforms Ferraris Despite Handling Difficulties in Sepang
Reflecting on the race in Sepang, Alonso noted that his pace surpassed the Ferraris that also opted for slick tires at the start. He managed to overtake Hamilton and build a gap, though he fought significant oversteer throughout the afternoon. Minor front-wing adjustments failed to resolve the handling difficulties completely, leaving the team aware of the extensive work required.
The performance profile remains heavily dependent on specific circuit layouts. The upcoming race weekend in Singapore is expected to suit the Aston Martin chassis more favorably, though Alonso emphasized the necessity of accepting non-competitive weekends elsewhere on the calendar.
Cementing his immediate future in the sport, Alonso signed a contract extension with Aston Martin for an additional season. Explaining his motivation to continue racing as the oldest and longest-serving driver on the grid, he described the enduring internal drive to compete that first surfaced during his temporary departure from Formula 1 between 2019 and 2021. Spanish media reports also indicate he plans to enter the Dakar Rally in January 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
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