Alonso says current F1 cars made decision to stay difficult

Fernando Alonso has signed a new deal with Aston Martin, while Lance Stroll’s contract has also been extended, Autosport reported on 29 September. The two drivers will remain the team’s Formula 1 line-up for the 2027 season. The decision keeps the pairing together as Aston Martin tries to improve on a difficult 2026 campaign. After 15 rounds, the team was tenth in the constructors’ standings with three points, all scored by Alonso.

In comments carried by Autosport, Alonso said he believed in what Aston Martin was building. Team owner Lawrence Stroll said improving performance was the immediate priority, with winning the longer-term goal.

Update

Aston Martin has confirmed Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as its drivers for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Alonso has extended his contract by one year, while El País reports that Stroll has also renewed for a further season. RacingNews365 lists both drivers in its overview of the 2027 grid.

Speaking to AS after the announcement, Alonso said he had not enjoyed driving this year’s cars but wanted to finish the work he had begun at Aston Martin. He also said he did not think 2027 would be his final season in Formula 1 and believed he could continue for several more years. His new deal, however, covers 2027.

El País reports Alonso’s renewal and Stroll’s contract extension, while AS adds Alonso’s account of why he chose to stay. RacingNews365’s wider grid overview already included the Aston Martin pairing; the renewal does not add another driver to its list.

Alonso’s comments leave open the possibility of racing beyond 2027, but Aston Martin’s announcement settles the team’s driver pairing for next season.

Update

Alonso will remain with Aston Martin for the 2027 Formula 1 season. In comments to BBC Sport quoted by RacingNews365 on 1 October, he said the hardest part of that decision was committing to another year when he does not enjoy driving the current cars. Trying to drive them faster can leave a driver going slower, he argued.

He said some shorter circuits had felt better because battery power lasted until the braking point. By contrast, he described Silverstone, Spa and Suzuka as particularly difficult because that power tailed off.

Alonso suggested that adjusting battery deployment might make driving feel more natural in 2027. He said discussions with drivers and teams about improvements gave him hope that he would enjoy it more next season.