Fernando Alonso was the first to put an end to rumors last week over the departure of Formula One drivers by agreeing to a multi-year contract extension with his current company, Aston Martin.

With the introduction of a completely new set of technical and engine regulations in 2026, the F1 scene will undergo a huge transformation. This arrangement will keep the fiery Spaniard with the British team through that season.

Alonso spoke candidly about his decision to stick with Aston Martin and Formula 1 before this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, despite the fact that he has been openly discussed as a possible target for other elite teams.

“Making decisions is never easy, especially at this point in my career when it’s likely my last contract. For that reason, I wanted to be sure that it was the right choice to continue competing in Formula 1 and to have the stamina and drive to continue competing for a few more years,” he said on Thursday in Shanghai.

“And then, after that, just making sure that the group has an ambitious target and goal for the next few years to try to keep improving.”

“I’m obviously very proud to represent Aston Martin for the next few years, so it was a very happy decision for me.”

“We’re very happy and proud of ourselves for getting off to a great start last year. Let’s see what we can accomplish.”

The fact that Alonso has chosen to remain with Aston Martin offers stability for the driver and the team. However, the 42-year-old’s agreement extends beyond fidelity and continuity.

There’s a big dose of hope with Aston’s new alliance with Honda, a formidable engine provider that will formally return to Formula One in 2026. The team’s continued renovation of their Silverstone facilities is another indication of their dedication to expansion.

Alonso can clearly see that Aston Martin has the potential to develop into a “very powerful” force to be reckoned with on the grid when these elements are combined.

Regarding the squad’s future chances, the 42-year-old stated, “The new regulations in 2026 are going to be a possibility for everyone to mix the cars a little bit and have an opportunity.”

Since we will be the only team using a Honda power unit—clearly a slight departure from our current Mercedes customer engine—we will undoubtedly be working with Honda. Hopefully, this will result in a minor improvement.

“Moreover, I believe that we have a small opportunity there as well with Aramco, the biofuels, and sustainability that will come into 2026. The team is also getting better and better—new facilities, a new campus, and a new wind tunnel coming this summer—so there are a lot of things in place to be a very powerful team in the future, and I wanted to be a part of it.”