Alonso could leave Formula 1 for Aston Martin WEC role as future remains uncertain – Fernando Alonso could leave Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season, with a move into the World Endurance Championship reportedly being considered as an alternative to retirement. The two-time world champion’s Aston Martin contract expires this year, and a decision on his future has yet to be made.
Alonso’s Formula 1 future has remained uncertain for several months. The Spaniard is contracted to Aston Martin until the end of 2026, but there has been no clear indication that he intends to continue racing in F1 under the next phase of the sport’s regulations.
At 45, Alonso is still competing at the highest level, but he has repeatedly made clear that his decision will depend on how he feels about Formula 1’s direction and the demands placed on drivers.
According to GP Blog, Alonso is seriously considering a move to the World Endurance Championship if he decides not to continue in Formula 1.
Alonso could stay with Aston Martin in WEC
A move into the WEC would offer Alonso a particularly interesting alternative because Aston Martin is also involved in the endurance championship.
Rather than leaving the manufacturer altogether, Alonso could potentially remain part of the Aston Martin organisation while moving from its Formula 1 programme into its endurance racing operation.
That possibility would also fit with comments Alonso has made about his long-term relationship with Aston Martin. The Spaniard has previously indicated that he expects to remain involved with the British manufacturer for many years, although he has stopped short of defining exactly what his future role could look like.
A move away from an F1 race seat would therefore not necessarily mean the end of Alonso’s relationship with Aston Martin.
WEC would be familiar territory for Alonso
The World Endurance Championship would also represent a return to a series Alonso already knows well.
He competed in the WEC during the 2018/19 season with Toyota Gazoo Racing, combining his endurance programme with his Formula 1 commitments.
The results were impressive. Across eight WEC races, Alonso’s team finished on the podium seven times, including five victories and two second-place finishes.
His experience in other disciplines also makes a move into endurance racing a natural possibility.
Alonso has competed in the Indianapolis 500 and the wider IndyCar environment, while he also tackled the Dakar Rally. His career has therefore already extended well beyond Formula 1.
Formula 1’s new era could decide Alonso’s future
The biggest factor in Alonso’s decision could ultimately be the direction of Formula 1 under its latest regulations.
The Spaniard has previously criticised aspects of modern F1, particularly the balance between actual racing and the management required during a Grand Prix.
His concerns have centred on how much time drivers spend managing tyres, energy, strategy and other variables rather than simply racing.
Max Verstappen has also expressed similar frustrations with aspects of modern Formula 1 and has previously discussed the possibility of pursuing other racing challenges during his career.
For Alonso, however, the decision is now becoming more immediate.
Retirement is not necessarily the alternative
If Alonso ultimately decides that his Formula 1 career has reached its conclusion, that does not necessarily mean he will stop competing.
A move to Aston Martin’s WEC programme would allow him to remain involved in top-level international motorsport while taking on a different challenge.
For now, though, the decision remains with Alonso. His Aston Martin contract runs through the end of 2026, and whether he continues in Formula 1, moves into endurance racing or takes on another role within Aston Martin will become one of the major questions surrounding his future.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
