Analysis: Why Fernando Alonso Is Staying at Aston Martin—and What It Means for the 2027 Grid

Fernando Alonso commits to Aston Martin and Formula 1

Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 career will continue after the two-time World Champion decided to remain with Aston Martin for at least another year. Alonso will turn 46 next year, making him the oldest driver of the recent Formula 1 generation, although he would still be nine years younger than Louis Chiron, the oldest driver to start a race in the championship.

Alonso took time to reach his decision because Aston Martin was prepared to wait while he considered his future and assessed whether he wanted another season with a project that has struggled significantly this year. The British team is currently 10th in the Teams’ Championship and needed a B-specification update at the Hungarian Grand Prix to move into the midfield after being more than five seconds off the pace at certain points.

The upgrade provided Aston Martin with a step forward, but performance concerns remain. Honda, the team’s engine supplier, is still well behind its rivals in outright performance, while reliability has also been below the required standard. Alonso previously experienced a difficult relationship with Honda during their time at McLaren, adding another layer of uncertainty to Aston Martin’s prospects.

Why Fernando Alonso chose to stay with Aston Martin

Aston Martin hopes its performance will improve next year, but there is no guarantee that the team will immediately become competitive enough to challenge for positions near the front. Alonso therefore risks spending another season fighting in the midfield rather than competing for podiums and victories.

After discussions with team owner Lawrence Stroll and Team Principal Adrian Newey, as well as extensive private consideration about his future, Alonso chose to continue. The Spaniard remains deeply committed to Formula 1 and cannot imagine giving up the opportunity to drive one of the sport’s cars in the near future.

Alonso continues to believe that he has the speed and motivation to compete. His focus on maintaining the best possible physical and mental condition remains clear, while his ninth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix demonstrated that he still possesses the hunger, determination, fighting spirit and pace required at the highest level.

The decision now places responsibility on Aston Martin to provide Alonso with a car capable of using his ability effectively. Alonso has expressed confidence in Adrian Newey, regarded as one of Formula 1’s greatest technical minds, and believes Newey can help transform the team’s fortunes. At the same time, Alonso understands that much of the project’s eventual success is beyond his direct control.

By remaining with Aston Martin, Alonso can give the team his full support and continue extracting the maximum performance from the car at every race. His feedback and commitment will help establish the package’s true potential. Staying also gives his son Leonard, who was born earlier this year, another season to watch his father compete in the sport Alonso loves.

Lance Stroll set to remain alongside Alonso

Aston Martin views Alonso’s continued presence as a major boost. Although Alonso was always likely to remain involved with the long-term project in some capacity, the team understands the value of having him in a race seat and knows what he can still deliver behind the wheel.

His decision also signals confidence in Aston Martin’s plans. That belief could filter through the organisation, strengthening motivation as the team works to improve its competitiveness.

Alonso is expected to continue alongside Lance Stroll, who has raced with him since 2023. Stroll has suffered heavily from Aston Martin’s reliability problems this season and has retired from 11 races in 2026. However, his father, Lawrence Stroll, believes the Canadian has the ability to win races and compete for championships.

Lance Stroll remains committed to the project and believes in Aston Martin’s goals. With more than 200 Grands Prix behind him, he also brings substantial Formula 1 experience to the team’s development effort.

2027 Formula 1 grid moves closer to completion

Only four seats remain available on the 2027 Formula 1 grid. Two of those positions are at Haas, where Ollie Bearman is the leading candidate to remain for a third full season after continuing to make progress with the American team.

Haas is expected to change Bearman’s team-mate. Esteban Ocon is a free agent and is understood to have accepted that he will not remain with the team in 2027. Ferrari junior driver and FIA Formula 2 Championship leader Rafael Camara is currently the favourite to replace him.

Camara has faced competition from McLaren reserve driver Leo Fornaroli, as well as Haas reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa. The remaining two openings are at Racing Bulls.

One of those Racing Bulls seats is expected to go to rookie Arvid Lindblad, who has recorded nine consecutive points finishes across 10 Grands Prix. Liam Lawson is the frontrunner to partner Lindblad for another season after impressing for Racing Bulls and during a three-race substitute spell with Red Bull, where he replaced the injured Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull and Racing Bulls could still choose to promote Nikola Tsolov. The emerging driver is currently second in the Formula 2 Championship, only seven points behind Camara, keeping the final decision open as the 2027 driver market develops.

Why This Matters

Alonso’s decision gives Aston Martin continuity during a crucial stage of its long-term Formula 1 project. The team still faces major challenges in car performance, Honda engine output and reliability, but retaining a proven two-time World Champion preserves experience and technical feedback within the organisation.

The announcement also removes one of the most significant uncertainties from the future driver market. With Alonso and Stroll expected to remain at Aston Martin, attention now turns to the four remaining places at Haas and Racing Bulls, where Bearman, Camara, Lindblad, Lawson and Tsolov are among the leading candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will Fernando Alonso remain with Aston Martin?

Fernando Alonso has chosen to remain with Aston Martin for at least another year.

Who is expected to race alongside Fernando Alonso?

Lance Stroll is expected to continue as Alonso’s team-mate. Stroll has raced alongside Alonso at Aston Martin since 2023.

How many seats remain on the 2027 Formula 1 grid?

Four seats remain: two at Haas and two at Racing Bulls. Ollie Bearman, Rafael Camara, Arvid Lindblad, Liam Lawson and Nikola Tsolov are among the drivers linked with those positions.