Fernando Alonso
, two-time
Formula One
champion , signed a contract extension to remain at Aston Martin for at least the next two seasons and thus put an end to speculation about his future.
Following Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes to race for Ferrari in 2025, the 42-year-old Spaniard, who is currently competing in his second season in Lawrence Stroll's team,
was positioned as a possible replacement in Toto Wolff's team
if he He did not decide to retire permanently from F1.
However, none of that happened and this Thursday a “multi-year” agreement was announced. “I am in my best physical condition and I am still hungry. “I will give it my all as we continue our path to being a world champion team,” Alonso said in the announcement.
The Iberian driver joined Aston Martin, from Alpine, to replace the German
Sebastian Vettel
, who then announced his retirement and now rumors are growing about a possible return to occupy the free position of George Russell's teammate at Mercedes.
“We have built a solid working relationship over the last 18 months and share the same determination to see this project be successful,” said team principal Mike Krack.
Different journalistic versions had linked Alonso with a possible move to Mercedes. “We have been in constant dialogue over the last few months, and
Fernando has been true to his word
: when he decided that he wanted to continue in motorsport, he spoke to us first,” Krack confessed. “Fernando has shown that he believes in us and we believe in him.”
Alonso won his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. He was absent for two years, 2019 and 2020, to compete in other series, including his participation in the Indianapolis 500.
“
I said at the beginning of the year that I would decide if I wanted to continue racing first
and then I would sit down and chat with the team,” said the driver. “From the moment I joined the team in 2023 I have felt at home. In just 15 months we have already achieved a lot together, with some memorable podiums and battles.”
Alonso climbed onto the podium six times in the first eight races of the previous season, when Aston Martin improved from seventh to fifth overall in the constructors' championship.
With information from AP