May 12, 2026, marks a notable milestone in the illustrious career of Fernando AlonsoPlayer·Fernando Alonso, as precisely 13 years have passed since his last triumph in Formula 1Competition·Formula 1. On May 12, 2013, the Spanish driver, then competing for FerrariTeam·Ferrari, secured a commanding victory at the Spanish Grand PrixCompetition·Spanish Grand Prix, finishing nine seconds ahead of Kimi RäikkönenPlayer·Kimi Räikkönen. The reigning world champion at the time, Sebastian VettelPlayer·Sebastian Vettel, placed fourth, 38 seconds adrift of Alonso.
Thirteen years later, the landscape of Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 has evolved, and Alonso, now with Aston MartinTeam·Aston Martin, finds himself navigating a challenging 2026 season. The AMR26 car, powered by HondaTeam·Honda, has proven to be both slow and unreliable in the initial rounds of the championship. Fernando AlonsoPlayer·Fernando Alonso currently holds the 21st position in the drivers' standings with zero points, while his teammate, Lance StrollPlayer·Lance Stroll, is 22nd, also without points.
The team's struggles have been evident, with reliability issues plaguing their campaign. Prior to the Miami Grand PrixCompetition·Miami Grand Prix, Alonso had completed only one of the first three races due to mechanical failures. While both Aston MartinTeam·Aston Martin cars managed to finish the Miami event, they remained outside the points-scoring positions, highlighting the persistent performance deficit. The team has also contended with significant vibration problems emanating from the AMR26's power unit.
Despite the current difficulties, Alonso maintains a pragmatic outlook on his future and the team's prospects. His contract with Aston MartinTeam·Aston Martin is set to conclude at the end of the 2026 season, and he has indicated an open mind regarding his next steps.
"I am open for everything,"— Fernando Alonso.
Alonso has stated that he will defer any decision on his future until after the summer break, expressing a desire to observe the car's development. He humorously remarked that he might consider retirement if he could achieve a fifth-place finish in any race this season, underscoring the team's current competitive position. He also understands the team's decision to halt minor performance upgrades, acknowledging that small improvements would not significantly alter their standing from 19th or 20th place, given that the cars ahead are nearly a full second faster. Alonso remains composed, expressing confidence that the project will be better prepared for its second year in 2027.
External perspectives on Alonso's enduring career vary. Former F1 team manager Peter WindsorCoach·Peter Windsor had previously predicted that Alonso, bolstered by the Aston MartinTeam·Aston Martin-HondaTeam·Honda partnership and the involvement of Adrian NeweyCoach·Adrian Newey, could not only win a race but potentially contend for the championship in 2026. However, the season's early results have not aligned with such optimistic forecasts. Ralf SchumacherPlayer·Ralf Schumacher has suggested that both Lewis HamiltonPlayer·Lewis Hamilton and Fernando AlonsoPlayer·Fernando Alonso should consider retiring at the close of the 2026 season to create opportunities for younger drivers. Alonso, however, continues to feel competitive and motivated, indicating that he does not believe it is time to step away from the sport.
Fernando Alonso drives his Aston Martin F1 car during the Miami Grand Prix. Icon Sportswire/IMAGO
Icon Sportswire/IMAGOThis article was generated by AI (gemini-2.5-flash). Learn more.
