Alonso says 2027 decision hinges on rules, not Aston slump
"It’s much greater than what we see"
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s disastrous start to 2026 will not decide whether he remains in Formula 1 next year, insisting the regulations themselves are now the bigger issue.
Spa marked the final race for Aston Martin’s original and effectively unchanged 2026 car, before a major Adrian Newey-led chassis package arrives in Hungary and a revised Honda power unit follows at Zandvoort.
"My decision doesn’t depend on this year’s performance," Alonso said after the Belgian GP.
"We’ve had a bad start this year, and I can’t base my decision for next year on unrealistic performance. I believe this isn’t the team’s true potential."
"It’s much greater than what we see."
Newey has suggested Aston Martin must demonstrate clear progress if it wants to convince Alonso to continue into 2027, but the almost-45-year-old Spaniard says even a faster car may not settle the matter.
"My decision has to do with the regulations," he insisted.
"Driving these cars on circuits like Spa or previously at Silverstone is not what I dream of for the future."
Alonso admitted Aston Martin’s new era has so far fallen far short of expectations.
"We had high hopes for these regulations, Newey’s arrival at the team, and the Honda engine. Expectations were very high, and we haven’t met them."
"It hasn’t been difficult, it’s simply been disappointing. We wanted to see the car perform in Barcelona or Bahrain, but now we’re taking it as a challenge."
"We want to come back strong, and I hope Budapest will be the first step towards that performance. To come back and, hopefully, head in the right direction for the team."
The Hungary package will be Aston Martin’s first substantial update after 11 races with essentially the same specification.
"We’ve already done 11 races with this car, and this will be the first race where we arrive with an updated package," said Alonso.
"It will be crucial for us to understand the setup direction of that car and learn everything we can."
Alonso also used the Belgian weekend to introduce several fresh power unit components before the next phase of Aston Martin’s season.
"We’ve been in the same position for 11 races and it hasn’t changed," he added.
"Hopefully, the data we’ve gathered will be useful for the team, the aerodynamics, and the engines, since we’ve changed a lot of things like the battery and several other new components."
"I hope the test goes well for all these components and that we’ll be ready for next weekend."
Newey was also present at Spa in his nominal role as Aston Martin team boss, although his low-key appearance reportedly went largely unnoticed in the paddock.