Alonso hopes to stay in F1 beyond 2026 - 'I don't feel it's time yet'

Fernando Alonso's contract with Aston Martin runs out at the end of the season; the 44-year-old was forced to retire in opening two races before finishing 18th at Japanese Grand Prix; Formula 1 returns with a Sprint weekend in Miami on May 1-3, live on Sky Sports F1

>Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has given his strongest hint that he wants to stay in F1, saying 2026 is "hopefully not the last season".

>The 44-year-old had previously said he would consider his future this year, and that it would be harder to retire if his car was not competitive.

>Alonso, whose contract with Aston Martin runs out at the end of the season, was forced to retire in the opening two races before finishing 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix.

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>"The time will tell. I will feel it," Alonso said of his future when interviewed at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco.

>"At the moment, I don't feel it's that time yet. I feel competitive, I feel motivated, I feel happy when I drive. So, yeah, hopefully not the last season."

>The Spaniard added: "I love what I do. I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years [old], and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel.

>"So the moment I have to stop racing, it will be very hard decision and difficult to accept."

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>Aston Martin have endured a nightmare start to F1's new era of rules in 2026, despite the huge promise that accompanied the signing of design genius Adrian Newey and becoming Honda's new works engine partner.

>Along with new entrant Cadillac, whose position at the back of the field at the start of the season had always been expected, Aston Martin have failed to come close to scoring a point in the year's three race weekends, with Alonso's 18th-place finish in Japan the only time either of their cars has completed a full Grand Prix so far.

>It could mean that Aston Martin are unlikely to have a lot of options for a leading driver to replace Alonso for 2027. And he may be unwilling to end his illustrious career after such a poor season.

>Formula 1 returns on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the season's second Sprint weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime