Fernando Alonso's future in Formula 1 is up in the air after he revealed news about whether he will remain at Aston Martin will "not come soon". Alonso has been frustrated with Formula 1's 2026 regulations and the performance of his Aston Martin-Honda car, having scored points just twice this season. The 45-year-old, whose current contract at Aston Martin expires at the end of this season, suggested how he feels about the power unit tweaks for next year, which will see the electric output reduced from its current near 50 per cent to 42 per cent, will dictate his decision.
"It's a matter of understanding what the rules from next year will have an impact or not on the racing and on the driving side of things," said Alonso last Thursday at the Spanish Grand Prix. "The current cars, as I said many times, are not the best cars to drive and to enjoy. But next year there is a step in the right direction, hopefully.
"At the same time, I need to think what is the best programme for next year and sit with the team. Behind the wheel or in another role, where I will be helping the most, that will be the most important thing to decide together." A day after Alonso's comments, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem appeared to reveal he wants to accelerate Honda's engine development so they can catch up. "There is no way we can allow Fernando to leave - Alonso, a great champion - just because of the circumstances.
That's not the way to leave the stage," said Ben Sulayem. "He has to be successful and then he leaves whenever he wants, not because he was forced to leave because of the performance. The car is not performing.
I met with Lawrence [Stroll] on Thursday and I'm going to do the changes and will talk to him to make him, try to make him, change his mind. It's not acceptable." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The comments could be seen as a personal intervention by Ben Sulayem but Sky Sports F1 understands the FIA president wants to work with the Power Unit Advisory Committee, which features all five engine manufactures, to work together to help Honda. One option could be changing the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrades Opportunities) rules to not only be about the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) power.
Honda have already used one of two engine upgrade opportunities this year, have at least another two for 2027 and were given an extra £14m of development budget. Ben Sulayem added: "I will be speaking to him. I said to him, I saw him very sad, and I said, 'Fernando, I understand, it's not acceptable that you are coming to your own country and now after two times a world champion and you are at the last'.
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