Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack expects Fernando Alonso will still be driving for them in 2026, when it begins using Honda’s power units.
The team and the engine manufacturer announced their new partnership yesterday. Honda will become Aston Martin’s power unit supplier when F1’s new engine regulations come into force for the 2026 season.Alonso joined Aston Martin this season and is revelling in the team’s competitive car, taking four podiums from the first five races. Although at 41 he is the oldest driver on the grid, he has indicated he is prepared to continue racing.
He previously drove a Honda-powered McLaren between 2015 and 2017. However Honda’s first power units built to F1’s V6 hybrid turbo regulations were uncompetitive and unreliable, and Alonso made his unhappiness with their progress clear at times, notoriously referring to his “GP2 engine” during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.
Honda has enjoyed much greater success with Red Bull in recent years, powering the team to a string of wins and a championship double last year.
Krack therefore expects to see Alonso in an Aston-Martin Honda. “I think there’s no reason to think he should not be with us in the car in 2026,” he told media including RaceFans in Monaco today. “I mean, I cannot see one single reason why he would not be.”
Aston Martin has scaled its operations up rapidly in recent years as it aims to compete for championships. Krack said his driver was kept up to date on their plans to replace its customer Mercedes engine deal, though Alonso did not take part in the talks with Honda.
“Fernando was not involved in the discussion, but he was always kept in the loop,” said Krack, “We wanted to have his thoughts. We wanted to have his opinions, as we do with every topic because he’s a key member of the team, just as Lance [Stroll] is.
“We have a very good relationship with our drivers. You see it when you listen to the radio. So they are both always involved and we are fortunate to have also Pedro [de la Rosa], for example, who has also some relationships.
“So I think all in all, it’s a very strong team and we do not say the drivers out there, the engineers are there, it’s just one big group where everybody’s opinion counts.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2023 Monaco Grand Prix
- Mercedes ready to “grind” their way to competitiveness after major W14 update
- Verstappen surpasses Vettel as winner of most races for Red Bull
- How the first team to fit intermediate tyres in Monaco got the call right
- Verstappen’s Monaco pole run was the completion of his 2021 Jeddah lap – Horner
- Haas thrilled as upgrade performance exceeds wind tunnel predictions
T
25th May 2023, 10:56
I like that it’s a given an Alonso closer to his 50s is just going to be still driving.
I have no inherit qualms it’s just odd and kind of funny the decision makers are just like “well yea of course, there’s no reservations whatsoever. I mean who else no?“
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
25th May 2023, 11:01
I don’t think anyone saw him competing this well this far into his career. Imagine telling yourself in 2013 that 10 years later he’d still be driving in F1.
ajpennypacker (@ajpennypacker)
26th May 2023, 6:10
I think it’s just the right thing to say for Aston. It’s a vote of confidence that Alonso has absolutely earned by being utterly brilliant in his 40’s. But as Fernando himself keeps saying, the moment he’s no longer fast enough to compete with the best, he’s show himself out. So it won’t be a situation where Aston have to force him out
Mayrton
25th May 2023, 11:39
As long as the results curve is going upwards all will be fine yes. But I do vividly remember the old Alonso when things do not go well.
SHR Modding
25th May 2023, 11:57
Very true. But then again that’s true of any top line driver including Verstappen and Hamilton