Alonso still present in 2026 to work with Honda? " I do not know yet "

Fernando Alonso and Honda is the story of a marriage that never really began. The promises were great but ultimately everything fell apart. The return of the Japanese engine manufacturer in Formula 1 from the 2015 season was very complicated and the Spaniard did not fail to make him understand at the time when he found McLaren.

Since then, the two parties have had very different journeys from each other but they could finally meet again. Honda having signed a partnership with Aston Martin From 2026, the double world champion could be brought back to the Japanese manufacturer a few years after their divorce in 2017.

« This is very good news for the team, very exciting for the future, underlined the current 3^e of the Drivers ranking. This shows how determined Aston Martin is to win races and championships in the future, by being independent, making its own gearbox and everything on the car (...)

I think this is the right direction, especially in view of 2026 with the entry into force of the new engine regulations. It's always better to develop your engine in association with the chassis, to have everything integrated from the start, well advanced. It can only be beneficial. That doesn't mean Aston Martin won't be able to challenge for the title before 2026, however.."

Alonso-Honda, new start in 2026?

The question then arises of a new collaboration between the two parties. For his part, Honda has acknowledged that there will be no objections on his part if Aston Martin decided to continue the adventure with Fernando Alonso for this new chapter. What about the Asturian? Will he be able to put aside their past quarrels to try their luck again together?

« I won't have any problem racing with Honda again, he said. I know the plan didn't work last time in 2015, 2016 and 2017. It was even worse for some of my teammates (...) But I think Honda has proven to have a competitive package. They were champions (Drivers) in 2021. (With Red Bull)In 2022 (double) and it is very likely that they will do the same in 2023 (...) This will be a very exciting project."

Fernando Alonso doesn't have good memories of Honda. © Clement Marin / DPPI

Reading his words, the Spaniard seems inclined to collaborate with Honda for the second time in his career. It remains to be seen what the future of the person concerned will be like. Arriving in the ranks of Aston Martin this year, the former driver Renault is linked to the English manufacturer by a multi-year contract, therefore at least until the end of 2024. Does it have clauses allowing it to automatically extend it? Nobody really knows, not even Fernando Alonso obviously who will be 44 years old when he begins the 2026 campaign.

« I don't yet know what I will do in 2026he says. I'd be lying to you if I told you I already knew that. I obviously feel fresh, motivated, in shape, still fast... If I continue to enjoy it, I would like to continue running. But I know that one day I might wake up not feeling motivated or happy to travel, or I might not feel fast anymore. Then I'll be the first to raise my hand and say it's probably time (to stop). But we have to wait, the road to 2026 is still long and we must first focus on what is happening, Monaco, the rest of the season and the next one, hoping to be able to take another step forward in order to fight for bigger goals."

Fernando Alonso says it himself, it is still too early to know if he and Honda will work hand in hand from 2026. By then, the Asturian will perhaps have bowed out, perhaps he will still be at Aston Martin but in a more technical role. For the moment it is time for patience and the 2023 season, and the one that is coming. For 2026, we will have to wait a few more years…

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