Alonso: The team's interests come first.

      Ahead of the Singapore race weekend, Fernando Alonso again returned to the question of ending his career at the end of 2026. The Aston Martin driver said he will not make a decision about his future before May next year, based on the interests of the team.

      "Since I don't have a crystal ball that predicts the future, my previous answer about my plans remains valid," Fernando Alonso said at a press briefing in Singapore. "I suppose everything will stay the same until next May.

      If I have a car at my disposal that I enjoy driving and we achieve certain results, then maybe... In any case, I will discuss with Lawrence Stroll and the team what they need. The interests of the team come first, mine second. I no longer need to race to prove anything.

      I am satisfied with my career, and I have been lucky to spend so many years in Formula 1. Now is the time to help the team and have a good time. That's exactly what I will be doing next year."

      Speaking about his fitness, Fernando noted: "I'm in the best shape I've ever been. Of course, last year and this year the car did not allow us to fight for the positions we would have liked, and some problems and weak points were not visible from the outside. But speaking for myself, some performances this year and last year would have been simply impossible for me 20 years ago. So I'm relaxed, content, and confidently looking forward to next year."

      Next year the technical regulations in Formula 1 will change, and, in theory, experienced drivers should gain an advantage. However, Fernando Alonso is convinced the advantage will go to drivers in the faster cars: "It's always the same story in Formula 1 — you have to sell a new product and say that a miracle will happen next year.

      I remember when traction control was banned, everyone said the advantage would go to drivers who control the throttle better and those kinds of things. But then the blown diffuser appeared, which provided some 100 points more downforce than the others, and Red Bull finished first and second in every race. You can drive smarter or dumber, but if the car is half a second faster, nothing compensates for such a difference in speed.

      I am definitely looking forward to next year to understand what the new regulations give to the driver. Hopefully more freedom than this year. But there will still be too many automatic systems and things that are controlled by the FIA and that you cannot influence. In my view, there are still too many restrictions left in next year's regulations."