Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 future beyond the current 2026 season remains a central topic in the paddock, with reports indicating a decision has been made regarding his contract with Aston Martin. This comes as former World Champion Damon Hill has offered his perspective on the current state of the sport, particularly concerning Max Verstappen’s performance this season.
Hill, the 1996 World Champion, recently dismissed Fernando Alonso’s assertion that Formula 1 is ‘a bit unfair’ in light of Max Verstappen’s challenging 2026 campaign. Alonso, a two-time world champion, had suggested that a driver of Verstappen’s calibre, whom he considers the best on the grid, would finish fifth or sixth in the championship due to machinery limitations.
‘What a load of rubbish! I strongly disagree with FA here.’
Verstappen, who secured four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024, currently sits seventh in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, 103 points adrift of leader Kimi Antonelli. He has yet to secure a race win this season and recorded an effective third retirement at the British Grand Prix after spinning into the gravel.
Alonso’s current contract with Aston Martin is set to conclude at the end of the 2026 season. The 45-year-old Spaniard has been evaluating his options for 2027, with a decision anticipated around the summer break or early autumn.
Multiple reports from sources including GPblog and beIN SPORTS suggest that Alonso has opted to extend his partnership with Aston Martin for the 2027 season. An official announcement regarding this extension is expected to be made around the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
Aston Martin, along with their power unit supplier Honda, have publicly expressed their desire for Alonso to continue driving. The decision for Alonso reportedly hinges on his enjoyment of the new 2026 cars and engines, as well as the team’s long-term prospects, particularly with Adrian Newey’s influence on the 2027 car.
Alonso has maintained his commitment to Aston Martin, stating his ambition to win a World Championship with the team, whether as a driver or in another capacity. This commitment aligns with a long-term project, similar to Max Verstappen’s extended contract with Red Bull until 2030.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown also addressed speculation linking Max Verstappen to his team. Brown affirmed McLaren’s satisfaction with their current driver lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, indicating no intention of changes.
Brown humorously remarked that Verstappen would only join McLaren ‘if for some strange reason, someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub.’ Separately, Alonso has discussed with Brown a potential future partnership in endurance racing, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where McLaren will enter a factory hypercar in 2027.
However, Alonso has also suggested that any Le Mans attempt would likely be with his current team, Aston Martin, utilizing their Valkyrie hypercar.
