Fernando Alonso hints at future beyond F1 as Verstappen rumours swirl

JEDDAH–Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen were seated together for the pre-race press conference in Jeddah ahead of the Saudi Arabian grand prix and neither could escape the rumours that Verstappen may be looking at a role with Aston Martin.

"I think just focus on commentating, I’ll focus on driving," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1's David Croft.

"Then you don’t need to think about any other scenarios."

"I mean honestly," the Dutchman expanded, faced with another question on the subject. "A lot of people are talking about it, except me... I just want to focus on my car, with the people in the team."

"That's the only thing that I'm thinking about in Formula One at the moment. I'm very relaxed."

For Fernando Alonso, while the Spaniard would also not be pushed on the subject of the F1 driver market, the answers were a lot more revealing.

"I don’t think [Max is a threat], as I have a contract for next year," said the Aston Martin driver. "But I see the rumours as very good for the team."

"So this shows the project that we are in and the future that this team has."

Asked, and answered. But Alonso was not finished.

"As I said last year when I extended the contract, I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel.

"But my contract is much longer than my racing career, so I will stay with this team for many, many years in a different role. If that means we can win a World Championship even when I’m not behind the wheel, I will still feel very proud of the project."

The Spaniard here seemed to admit that while he is contracted to the team, billionaire owner Laurence Stroll has the option to move him to a non-driving role. But it also indicated he is also actively considering this stage of his career.

These thoughts arose again shortly after when asked about his own decision to move to Aston Martin, who have now recruited Adrian Newey and other top engineers, and will move to a Honda power unit from 2026.

"I don’t know. I mean, it’s not about right or wrong decisions. You make your choices. When I left Alpine, I thought that I would not fight for a World Championship there.

"They may do in the future, but not in the short term – and I don’t have a long-term future, I will not race forever. So in the period when my racing career is active, I thought Aston Martin was a better place.

"I did enjoy 2023, being competitive. And I do enjoy now the process that we are in and the building of this team of the future. I sometimes say we are not the team of the present – and that’s what I would like to have, because in the future I don’t know if I will be behind the wheel.

"But I will do my best to help us achieve the best results as soon as possible."

Three times in two answers, Alonso outlines that he is considering his life after driving for Aston Martin, stating that his contract with the team with outlast his driving career. The question is just how long the 45-year-old will stay in the sport, something he didn't shy away from either.

"[I don't see myself racing], not at 50, but I don't know."

"That's why we kept open the possibility as well. I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations — and I wanted to experience the 2026 rules and Honda coming to the team. Then the surprise that Adrian was joining the team a few months after that. There were things that were appealing last year when we sat together and negotiated the contract.

"But after 2026, I don't know. I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am.

"Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team. So we said let’s do it until the end of 2026 and then from then on; I think I have an incredible relationship with Laurence [Stroll] and with Lance. We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team.

"I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need. If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way and I feel motivated. If it's in another position, or I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand."

A world champion, preparing for his graceful exit from Formula 1. Perhaps not soon, but not too far either. And perhaps unnoticed, or at least unheralded, by the conversation, about who his replacement might just be.

Verstappen also opened up on the reports of frustration in his camp, with manager Raymond Vermeulen said to have had a heated argument with team executive Helmut Marko at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"I think, to my knowledge, they were having just a conversation about everything — which I think is allowed," said the Red Bull driver.

"But I think we were all left frustrated with the result and, of course, the things that went wrong in the race. I think that's where my manager Raymond and Helmut spoke about it — and even Christian came along as well. So they all had a conversation.

"I think that should be allowed. We all care at the end of the day. We care about the team, we care about the people, we care about results. I think that's quite normal."

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