De la Rosa declines to comment on the possibility of Alonso's retirement.

      "I'd rather not think about it. I would rather enjoy it."

      Pedro de la Rosa has declined to speculate on whether Fernando Alonso is nearing the end of his Formula 1 career. The Aston Martin ambassador was asked by El Mundo Deportivo if this weekend’s Spanish GP might be Alonso’s final appearance at Barcelona-Catalunya, considering the circuit's new alternating race deal and Alonso's contract expiring at the conclusion of 2026. "Honestly, I have no idea," replied De la Rosa, who has known and worked with Alonso for years across various teams. When asked if it could indeed be Alonso’s last race at the circuit, he added: "Yes, but I don't view it that way." "I live as though it won't be the last."

      This question becomes more pertinent as Alonso approaches his 45th birthday next month and continues to keep the possibility of racing beyond his current Aston Martin contract open. Despite the team's challenging start in the Honda era, De la Rosa insists that Alonso’s future is entirely his own choice. "This is a very personal matter, very much his own, which he will decide, and I have great respect for that," he stated. "But I’d rather not think about it. I’d rather enjoy it."

      The former Formula 1 driver acknowledges that Aston Martin's long-term goal is to develop a car that would persuade Alonso to remain. With Adrian Newey now supervising development and significant upgrades planned for later this season, there is hope within the team for better days ahead. "All we can do is focus on improving the car to a point where drivers want to join and stay," said De la Rosa. "That’s the best scenario you can create as a team."

      He made it clear that Aston Martin would gladly keep Alonso for much longer if performance were the only consideration. "If it were my choice, I would wish for him to stay for many years," De la Rosa remarked. "Naturally, Fernando has every right to contemplate these matters, especially since he’s 44 years old." "However, if we assess Fernando based on his performance on the track, there’s no reason for him to retire."

      For now, De la Rosa believes the emphasis should be on the present instead of retirement discussions. "Let’s enjoy Fernando, let’s enjoy Carlos, let’s enjoy the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix," he said. "Because nothing lasts forever, nothing is eternal. So let’s live in the present, and whatever happens, happens."