Alonso delays decision on F1 future beyond 2025 – Fernando Alonso has confirmed that he will not make a decision about his Formula 1 future until after the summer break, as uncertainty continues to surround his long-term plans and Aston Martin’s competitiveness.
Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the two-time world champion made it clear that no decision will be made immediately. “I’m not sure,” said Alonso. “I’m open to anything. I think I’ll probably only really sit down with the team and make a decision after the summer break.”
Alonso’s current contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of the 2025 season. Despite ongoing speculation about retirement or a change of direction, the Spaniard remained calm when discussing his situation.
“I’m completely relaxed,” he said. ‘We also have to wait and see how the car improves and what the situation looks like for next year.’
The timing of that decision is significant. With major regulatory changes, including new power unit rules, coming in 2026, Alonso is effectively waiting to see if Aston Martin and Honda can deliver a competitive package before committing further.
A difficult 2025 season has shaped Alonso’s thinking
Alonso’s cautious stance comes amid a challenging campaign for Aston Martin, whose performance has declined sharply compared to the previous season.
The team has struggled heavily with its new Honda power unit, particularly in terms of reliability and drivability. Alonso has only finished one race so far this season, coming 18th at the Japanese Grand Prix.
“We’ve had a difficult start to the season, but we’re all happy to take on this challenge,” said Alonso. “We’ll get through this together, Aston Martin and Honda. Hopefully, we can see some results soon and start enjoying race weekends again.”
The scale of the drop-off is stark. Aston Martin scored 94 points last season, but has only managed two so far in 2025. This downturn coincides directly with Honda’s return as an engine supplier, highlighting the extent of the current technical difficulties.
This situation is reminiscent of his previous experience with Honda during their troubled partnership with McLaren between 2015 and 2017, a period marked by reliability issues and poor performance.
The Dakar Rally remains a realistic alternative
If Alonso decides not to continue in Formula 1, he has already outlined an alternative path within motorsport.
The Spaniard has long expressed his ambition to compete in and win the Dakar Rally, which would add to his already unique career, including two Formula 1 world titles and two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I have often said that it is a challenge I want to take on: winning endurance races, Formula 1 and rallies,” he explained. “That would probably be unprecedented for any racing driver in the past, so it appeals to me a lot.”
Such a move would align with Alonso’s broader ambitions for his legacy — positioning himself as one of the most versatile drivers in motorsport history.
At the same time, personal factors are also beginning to play a role: Alonso recently became a father when his son, Leonard, was born in March.
“I’ve given it some thought; I can’t deny it,” he said. ‘I want to race, and he’ll be watching me. But it might take a few years before he realises that, and I don’t want to race for another four or five years.”
Honda targets breakthrough after critical vibration issue
While Alonso considers his future, Aston Martin arrives in Miami with cautious optimism after Honda implemented solutions to a significant vibration issue that affected both performance and driver well-being.
The issue was severe enough to require an in-depth investigation, with one chassis being kept at Honda’s Sakura facility for detailed analysis following the Japanese Grand Prix.
“We conducted static tests to measure the car’s vibrations,” explained Honda Trackside General Manager, Shintaro Orihara. “Afterwards, we applied countermeasures and re-checked the vibrations.”
The unexpected five-week gap in the calendar, caused by cancellations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, provided a crucial window for development.
“We gathered all the knowledge from HRC engineers,” Orihara added.
“We were able to place many sensors on the car at the factory. This allowed us to make good progress regarding vibrations on both the engine and battery sides.”
Why vibrations posed a serious performance and safety risk
The vibration issue went beyond simple discomfort, representing a serious technical and physical challenge.
In Formula 1, for example, high-frequency vibrations can lead to material fatigue, loosening of components and even structural damage. Prolonged exposure can cause back pain, headaches and reduced concentration for drivers, particularly at speeds exceeding 300 km/h.
The complexity of the issue lies in the interaction between the combustion engine and the hybrid components. While the internal combustion engine operates at around 15,000 rpm, the MGU-K can exceed 50,000 rpm. When these frequencies align, resonance can occur, significantly amplifying vibrations.
This makes the problem both urgent and difficult to resolve, which is why Aston Martin dedicated an entire chassis to factory testing.
Mike Krack confirmed the scale of the effort: ‘We have used the time with Honda to further improve our package. We are coming here with a different package of countermeasures to improve our reliability.’
Miami upgrades could define Aston Martin’s trajectory
Honda believes that the improvements are already noticeable, both in the data and in feedback from the drivers.
“We are also seeing good progress in reducing driver vibrations,” said Orihara. “So we are curious to see how that works here.”
The timing is critical. Aston Martin currently sits in eighth place in the constructors’ championship, while its engine customer, Red Bull, is also performing below expectations.
Miami therefore represents more than just another race — it could be a turning point for the team’s season and a key factor in Alonso’s pending decision.
If the upgrades deliver tangible progress, they could boost confidence in the Aston Martin–Honda partnership. If not, Alonso’s willingness to consider “anything” could become increasingly significant as Formula 1 approaches a major regulatory reset in 2026.
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