Alonso: The main thing is that I'm still competitive.

      Before the start of the Shanghai weekend, Fernando Alonso spoke about his expectations…

      Q: You qualified third in Shanghai last year. Is it possible to hope for a similar result now if it is dry?Fernando Alonso: I don't know. Last year we started the season in the best shape, especially in the qualifiers. This time it will be more difficult, but we will try to earn the first points this year – that's the goal. I'm looking forward to it – it's one of the best tracks of the season for the drivers.

      Question: There are currently seven drivers on the starting field who were not born when you debuted in Formula 1, and now they are your rivals. Do you feel old?Fernando Alonso: It's a privilege to keep racing, to do what I like the most. I've been lucky enough to see many different eras in this sport, and I'm still here. I feel competitive, motivated and fresh enough to travel all over the world and race these cars.

      The main thing is that I'm still competitive. If one day I feel like I'm not fast enough, I'll be the first to say that I don't want to do this anymore. I am an ultra-competitive person. This is the most important thing for me.

      I made my debut in 2001. In 2004, I competed in the Chinese Grand Prix for the first time, and now, in 2025, I'm still here, and I'm as fast as in 2004. Or even faster. Maybe it's because we now have better tools and more opportunities to improve ourselves and eliminate some weaknesses. But yes, I understand that it's a privilege that I'm still here.

      Question: There are rumors that eco-friendly V10 engines may return. Fans like the sound of such engines, but is it worth considering this option in the future?Fernando Alonso: It's hard to say. I like the sound of the V10 and V8 engines, but we live in a different world now. Technology has advanced, and today we have incredibly efficient power plants that consume about a third of the amount of fuel that they used to. This is a decision for the top management – FOM, FIA and manufacturers. As racers, we just want to race the fastest cars, regardless of the engine.

      Perhaps the opinion of the fans should also be taken into account, but we cannot go against our time, we cannot forget how effective today's cars are.

      We're not saying that we could race without Halo and make cars more dangerous for the fans. It doesn't make sense. We are leaving something in the past, today we have a very strong, very good Formula 1.

      Question: I would like to ask about the first weeks of working with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin. Have you talked about the car yet?Fernando Alonso: We haven't talked in detail yet. The schedule is busy right now – tests in Bahrain, then Australia, now China. Hopefully, when we get back to base, we'll have more time to discuss everything.

      But I know that Adrian is very motivated, he is fully involved in the 2026 car project. He analyzes everything we do every weekend. I'm looking forward to working with him.

      I know how he works, I know his approach in recent years – we have been communicating for many years, we visited the historic Monaco Grand Prix last year, had lunch together. I know what he's capable of, and I'm looking forward to the future.