Rumors: Alonso requested $40 million for a contract extension.

      Various rumors related to possible personnel changes in the teams traditionally intensify closer to the summer break in the championship, and 2026 is no exception.

      As always, there are several main characters in the so-called 'silly season' – literally, the "silly season," i.e., the period when all sorts of rumors and gossip appear particularly actively. Fernando Alonso is one of these characters, as his plans for 2027 are still unclear.

      Whether the two-time world champion will continue to race for Aston Martin next season or decide to retire from Formula 1, at least as a driver, remains to be seen. After all, he turned 45 at the end of July, although he is still in excellent shape, which the problems of the Silverstone team, which has frankly failed the first half of the season, do not allow him to showcase.

      French journalist Marc Limacher, author of the annual Business Book GP publication dedicated to the business side of Formula 1, including driver salaries, shared the following news – of course, at the rumor level: "I heard that Fernando Alonso requested $40 million from Aston Martin for the season, and then he would extend his contract for 2027 and 2028. Currently, the British team pays him $30 million."

      This message, which appeared on social media, was commented on by the Spanish press, in particular, the newspaper Marca writes that in 2023 Alonso's fees were around $20 million, and it is possible that the amount of financial compensation has increased, so what Limacher writes may well correspond to reality.

      It is expected that the famous driver and the team will announce some decision at the end of August, although this is not certain. At the same time, the newspaper adds that currently financial considerations for Alonso are far from the main factor on which this decision depends. Above all, he wants to compete at a high level and enjoy racing.

      If he does decide to stay, then his enormous popularity, marketing value, and attractiveness to sponsors fully justify such high financial demands. Aston Martin understands this well, and there are whispers in the paddock that the parties have actually already agreed on everything, so it remains only to wait for official confirmation.

      Moreover, Adrian Newey, the head and technical director of Aston Martin F1, understands better than anyone how important personnel stability is – especially now, when the team is actively modernizing the car, with an eye on 2027.

      If Limacher's information turns out to be true, then Alonso will rise to third place in the ranking of the highest-paid drivers next season, but Max Verstappen with his $70 million and Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion earning about $60 million at Ferrari, will still remain ahead. Moreover, this third spot will be shared by Fernando and Charles Leclerc, but he will surpass George Russell and Lando Norris, the reigning world champion.