There was one less person on the list of candidates to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes: superstar Fernando Alonso, who had long been tipped for the free Mercedes cockpit from 2025, has now opted for an e-contract extension at Aston Martin instead of starting next year to climb the weakening Silver Arrow. Given the current results, this is all too understandable. Incidentally, Mercedes is also losing Aston Martin as an engine customer, because Honda will supply the engine for the British from 2026.
After months of speculation about becoming the most experienced driver in Formula 1 history, Fernando Alonso has confirmed his commitment to Aston Martin Aramco by signing a new multi-year contract.
Fernando Alonso joined the team in early 2023 and has since demonstrated his incredible speed and skill countless times. With eight podium finishes last year, our team’s best result ever, he remains one of the fastest drivers in the sport and a formidable force on the track.
Fernando Alonso: “Much has been said and written about my future in Formula 1 over the past few months, but today I am pleased to announce that I will be staying with Aston Martin Aramco on a multi-year contract. I said at the beginning of the year, that I would first decide whether I wanted to continue racing and then sit down with the team. From the moment I joined the team in 2023, I felt very comfortable. In just over 15 months we have already achieved a lot together, with some memorable podiums and battles.
I am very grateful for the trust that Lawrence, Martin and Mike have placed in me and with Lance I look forward to seeing what more we can achieve together. This is just the beginning for this project and I am proud to be a part of it. I am physically at my best and still hungry. I will give it my all as we continue our journey to become a World Cup-winning team.”
This means that the choice for a successor Hamilton is significantly more limited. As a superstar, Alonso would have been a perfect replacement for Hamilton and would have given the tram exactly the amount of time that Kimi Antonelli still needs to mature. Now Carlos Saisnz, who has to make room for Hamilton at fverrari, is considered a promising candidate. But Audi is also already very interested in the fast Spaniard.