Alonso: I'll continue racing, but perhaps not in Formula 1.

      Fernando Alonso is confident that he will continue racing beyond 2026, but he acknowledges that it is uncertain whether that will be in Formula 1. Amid ongoing speculation about a potential return to Alpine, Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack expressed his expectation on Thursday that Alonso will remain with the team.

      "Looking back a season or two ago, we clearly stated he would stay," Krack commented. "I believe Fernando will make his decision during the summer break, and we are content with our drivers. They are dedicated to us, and we must recognize how well they are managing this situation. So, I have high hopes that we’ll keep working together."

      However, 44-year-old Alonso made it clear that the final decision rests with him. "I don’t need Mike to tell me I’m fast; I feel it every lap I take on the track, and I’ve always felt that way," he stated. "I will continue racing because I feel fast and motivated. I love what I do and I’m not stopping now. Whether I compete in Formula 1 or elsewhere is another matter."

      The Spaniard expects to decide his future around the summer break. "After the summer, we have Zandvoort and Monza... I think I will decide what to do for next year around that time." Alonso emphasized that his commitment to Aston Martin is sincere despite the team's challenging season. "I feel indebted to the team. Since 2023, we’ve progressed and rebuilt the project. My goal is still to become world champion with Aston Martin. The only question is whether I can achieve that behind the wheel."

      He dismissed the recent rumors surrounding Alpine, saying, "I don’t want to hear rumors. We’ve been treated very poorly by the outside, which is normal; we’re not performing well at the moment and are going through a tough time. And whenever the summer break approaches, rumors always circulate."

      Alonso also defended both Aston Martin and Honda as they work on separate enhancements to get the team back in contention. "We’re an easy target since we're at the back, and there are jokes on social media. Sometimes they border on abusive. We’re not satisfied with our position, but we’re hardworking. Honda is also dedicated."

      Krack reiterated Aston Martin's commitment to its development strategy under Adrian Newey. "We always aim to shorten timelines as much as possible, and we’ll have the upgrades ready as soon as we can," he noted. "As I previously mentioned in Spain, we have a leader who made the decision to pursue this approach. If the team chooses this direction, we must follow through."

      Honda is also preparing to introduce a new power unit later in the season. "We plan to launch a new engine around the summer; we will see if it’s before or after the break," said Honda chief race engineer Shintaro Orihara. "There are no other steps planned for this year. We are working hard to ensure a significant advancement."