Fernando Alonso delays Aston Martin decision as team prepares for possible 2027 exit – Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin future remains unresolved, with the two-time Formula 1 world champion yet to decide whether he will continue racing in 2027.
Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack says the team expects clarity “in the coming weeks”, but TJ13 understands that some members of the Silverstone-based operation already believe they must prepare for the possibility of life without Alonso next season.
The situation has become one of the last major pieces of the 2027 driver-market puzzle. Red Bull has now committed Max Verstappen to the end of 2030, while Williams has secured both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. With several leading teams having already settled their line-ups, attention has increasingly turned towards Alonso.
Recent reporting confirms that Aston Martin is still waiting for the Spaniard to make his decision. Krack admitted ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix that the team had expected greater clarity by this stage of the summer.
Aston Martin still wants Alonso to stay
Krack made clear that Aston Martin’s preferred outcome remains retaining its veteran driver.
“The talks have been going on for many, many months now. I think Fernando has always said that he wants to make a decision around the summer. And I think that we will get a decision in the coming weeks,” Krack said, according to GP Blog.
The comments underline the unusual position Aston Martin finds itself in. The team cannot force Alonso to make a decision before he is ready, particularly when the driver has previously indicated that he wanted to use the summer break to assess whether he still wants to continue in Formula 1.
Alonso’s current contract expires at the end of 2026, and he has repeatedly made clear that motivation and enjoyment will play an important role in determining whether he races on.
TJ13 understands contingency planning has begun
Despite the public confidence coming from Aston Martin’s senior management, TJ13 understands that the uncertainty is now being reflected internally.
Some members of the team believe they may have to prepare for a future without Alonso in 2027, and contingency planning for that possibility has already begun.
That does not mean Aston Martin expects Alonso to leave, nor does it indicate that a replacement has been decided. Rather, the team has to protect itself against both possibilities while its most experienced driver considers his future.
For a Formula 1 operation already working deep into the development of its next-generation projects, waiting for a driver decision creates obvious logistical complications. Planning for a replacement allows Aston Martin to avoid being caught unprepared should Alonso ultimately decide that 2026 will be his final season.
Alpine speculation remains part of the equation
Alonso has been linked with a possible move away from Aston Martin, with Alpine among the teams repeatedly mentioned in speculation surrounding his future. However, there is currently no confirmation that the Spaniard intends to join another Formula 1 team.
Aston Martin has also publicly dismissed concerns over the rumours.
“No, the focus has always been on continuing with Fernando. And as I said before, we are quite confident of getting a good result. At the same time, we have to respect Fernando’s request to be able to make his own decision. And that’s what we have to wait for,” Krack said.
Alonso’s situation is particularly important because Aston Martin has invested heavily in its long-term project, with Adrian Newey now leading the technical operation and Honda supplying its power units.
The coming weeks could finally settle the puzzle
Aston Martin therefore finds itself in a holding pattern. Publicly, the message remains that Alonso is wanted and that the team is confident of continuing together. Privately, however, the organisation cannot afford to assume that outcome is guaranteed.
The timing of Alonso’s decision could have significant consequences for the wider driver market. Once the 45-year-old confirms whether he intends to race in 2027, Aston Martin can either continue building around one of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1 or move decisively towards a replacement.
For now, Krack’s message is straightforward: Aston Martin is waiting for Alonso.
“I think we’ll wait for his decision and then see what happens.”
That decision, after months of speculation, could finally arrive within the next few weeks.
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He’s still more likely to continue than retire yet & I’ve zero doubts about his motivation to still continue.
Of course, he’s clearly in his last team in F1, so Aston Martin or nothing also regarding next season (& possibly even 2028 based on some recent reports), especially since Alpine is happy with its drivers.