Cowell understands Alonso’s possible F1 exit

Aston Martin brag Andy Cowell has commented connected Fernando Alonso's connection that helium whitethorn see retiring from Formula 1 aft the 2026 season, but lone if it is successful. Cowell stressed that helium afloat understood his experienced driver's thinking, adding: 

"We each privation to extremity our careers portion we are astatine our peak. Fernando would similar to spell distant winning and enjoying the drive."

Fernando, a two-time satellite champion, spoke openly astir his aboriginal up of the Singapore Grand Prix. 

"If I person a car that I bask and get results, maybe... I volition ever speech to Lawrence and the squad due to the fact that they travel first. I don't person to beryllium thing anymore. I'm blessed with my vocation and present I privation to assistance the squad and person fun," Alonso said.

Key fig of the team

Cowell pointed retired that Alonso is inactive a cardinal portion of Aston Martin. 

"Fernando is simply a immense portion of our team. His experience, calmness and analytical attack are invaluable. This twelvemonth and next, unneurotic with Lance, helium is helping to make the 2026 car, moving successful the simulator and giving precise feedback that the engineers appreciate. His publication to our advancement is enormous."

The squad brag added that it would beryllium perfect for Alonso to extremity his past contention with a win. 

"Imagine Fernando Alonso's past contention — and he's lasting connected apical of the podium. That would beryllium a dream. I deliberation everyone successful the squad secretly wishes for that."

Driver successful apical form

Alonso clarified that his status announcement was not a motion of a nonaccomplishment of form. On the contrary, helium feels that helium has reached the highest of his career. 

"Last twelvemonth and this year, the car whitethorn not person ever been astatine the ranking level, but I deliberation that I personally drove amended than ever. I couldn't person done immoderate of the driving that I bash present 20 years ago. That's wherefore I'm calm, satisfied and enjoying myself."

The experienced Spaniard besides explained that drivers amended with property until they suffer motivation. “Drivers don’t get slower with property — they get amended due to the fact that they person much acquisition and knowledge. The lone occupation is if you suffer your volition oregon your reflexes. That hasn’t happened to maine yet.”

Alonso is besides skeptical astir the caller rules coming successful 2026. “Every twelvemonth successful Formula 1, they accidental that adjacent play is going to beryllium magical… I anticipation the caller rules volition astatine slightest bring driving accomplishment backmost to the forefront,” concluded the two-time champion.