Fernando Alonso is seemingly hinting at a potential retirement after this year.
The 44-year-old F1 driver has been driving in the sport for over 20 years, and on Thursday (June 11), seemed to tease he’ll retire soon.
On media day ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 MSC Cruises Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Fernando told press that this may be his last race at the circuit, which is his home race.
“I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in Qualifying – in the race, hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend,” the Spanish driver said, via Formula1.com. “It has always been a celebration when we come to Barcelona. I think this is my 23rd Grand Prix [here] and all of them have been magical. This last has to be magical as well.”
Fernando currently drives for Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, and he’s in his third year with them. This year, with the new regulation changes, has not been a good year for the team, as they only have one point so far, thanks to Alonso‘s 10th place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend.
The driver is not confirming his future yet, but says he will after the summer break.
His comments about this being his last Barcelona race doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll retire this year, though. He could continue through next year, but Barcelona will not be on the calendar as the circuit will be rotating with Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
“I consider every race I go to this year potentially could be my last time – in Australia, my last time in China, my last time in Monaco. Here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance as it’s not happening next year,” Fernando added.
“The day will come that we need to sit together and make the decision but it hasn’t happened yet. It will happen soon,” he says of deciding his future with the team. His current contract is up at the end of this year.
Fernando made his debut in F1 in 2001 with Minardi, and is a two-time driver’s champion, winning in 2005 and 2006 with Renault. Throughout his Formula 1 career, he has clocked 32 wins and 106 podiums.
He is currently the oldest driver on the grid, and is closely followed by Lewis Hamilton, 41, who has been in F1 since 2007, and Nico Hulkenberg, 38, who has been driving off and on since 2010.
The only years Nico was not an F1 driver was 2000 to 2022, when he was a reserve driver for Racing Point/Aston Martin, only competing in two races when main drivers were out due to illness.
Another Formula 1 driver has also talked about considering an exit after this year.
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