Fernando Alonso has opened up on the the explanation why he has determined to stay in Method 1, explaining his perception that he’s “as quick as anyone”.
The 45-year-old ended months of hypothesis on Tuesday afternoon with an announcement with Aston Martin, who confirmed he and teammate Lance Stroll will tackle a fifth season as teammates.
In a social media video posted by the Silverstone-based squad, Alonso, reflecting on his spectacular profession, acknowledged he had determined to “retire from Method 1,” earlier than including, after a pause: “However not but.”
The Spaniard’s resolution to stay in F1 will put a cease to the continuing ‘will-he-won’t-he’ melodrama over the summer time, having not too long ago teased that he can be with Aston Martin whether or not he stayed within the cockpit or not.
Alonso, talking to the BBC about deciding to compete in a twenty fourth season of F1 – which can take him previous his forty sixth birthday – provided his rationale for actually changing into one of many sport’s ‘elder statesmen’.
“First, that is my life,” he mentioned. “I’ve this in my blood and I hold racing and I hold having fun with and it is a lifestyle, in a manner.
“In all probability for me the most important, or the clearest factor to maintain racing is I nonetheless really feel self-confidence that I’ve one thing further.
“And once I take into consideration stepping down or taking a unique position within the crew or not driving the automobile or no matter, in a manner I really feel it shouldn’t be like that as a result of I nonetheless really feel as quick as anyone. So let’s have one other go.”
Fernando Alonso ‘can not cease’ while nonetheless believing he’s quicker than others
It’s well-documented that Alonso has suffered in 2026, with Aston Martin having been rooted to the foot of the grid attributable to its automobile and energy unit issues.
However the two-time World Champion acknowledged that a few of the outcomes he has scored this season have strengthened that self-belief.
“I really feel that I’m OK. Or, I’m quicker than them,” he defined.
“So once I get modified and I am going again dwelling, even when I’m P18, in a manner I really feel some satisfaction and satisfaction inside, even when it shouldn’t be the case as a result of we aren’t aggressive.
“How will I be in the lounge, watching TV, pondering that I can do higher? That might be my feeling now. When that modifications, if I see that I misplaced talents, I misplaced pace, I misplaced reflexes, I misplaced one thing, then I might be completely happy to look at from my front room the race.
“For the time being, I really feel it was not the time as a result of I’m higher than that man. I’m higher than that different man. I’ll suppose like that. And I can not cease racing if I nonetheless suppose like that.”
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