Fernando Alonso: My priority is the contract with Aston Martin

After Lewis Hamilton announced his switch to Ferrari in 2025, experts and journalists immediately included Fernando Alonso among the contenders for his replacement at Mercedes. At the presentation of the new Aston Martin AMR24, the Spanish driver commented on Hamilton’s decision and his career prospects.

Fernando Alonso: “Ferrari had a fast car in recent years with which we could fight for serious results. Perhaps Lewis can bring extra energy to the team, allowing them to fight for the title. Even last year, when Red Bull dominated, Ferrari had similar lap times and were faster in qualifying, so they have a pretty fast car.”

Responding to Hamilton’s comments that driving for Ferrari was his childhood dream, Alonso said: “As far as I know it wasn’t Lewis’ childhood dream 12 months ago. I think he had a completely different dream two or three months ago.

Fernando Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of 2024. Fernando plans to continue working with the Silverstone team if he decides to stay in Formula 1: “I understand that I am in a unique situation. Now in Formula 1 there are three world champions, three fast world champions, because in the past we had several other champions who were probably not as motivated. And I’m apparently the only one of the three champions who doesn’t have a contract until 2025, so I’m in a good position.

At the same time, when and if I decide to continue my career, Aston Martin will be the first and only team with which I will start negotiations. They will be my only priority. However, if we don’t reach an agreement and I want to continue competing in Formula 1, I will probably be attractive to other teams who saw my speed and my commitment last year.

Previously I would have said I was ready to race until I was 41 or 42, but now I think I still have a few seasons left. If you have the motivation and desire to make commitments, you can race until you are 48-49 years old or even until you are 50 years old. But Formula 1 requires complete dedication – and I gave up my life for Formula 1.

I’m happy with that and I can continue racing for a few more years, but I don’t know if I can compete until I’m 50 given such a busy calendar. The point is not that it will be difficult for me, but that I may have other interests in life.”

Speaking about the team’s prospects in 2024, Fernando said: “Last year we saw our weaknesses and lack of consistency at some tracks. The team has tried to eliminate them and I am happy with these changes. We’ll see what we did on the track.”