P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The two-time world champion is staying with the team having agreed a fresh two-year contract.
Aston Martin CEO Mike Krack expressed concerns about Fernando Alonso not renewing his contract with the team beyond 2024. Alonso’s initial two-year agreement with Aston ended after the 2024 season, prompting the two-time world champion to consider other options in F1 or even retirement. Ultimately, Alonso chose to stay for an additional two years, coinciding with the team’s partnership with Honda in 2026 under the new technical regulations. Krack admitted to worrying that the Spanish veteran might leave, as he was uncertain about continuing his racing career. However, Krack trusted Alonso’s credibility and commitment, which alleviated his doubts and allowed for a smooth contract extension process. The renewed deal will see Alonso, now 45 years old, become the oldest F1 driver since Graham Hill in 1975, a testament to his exceptional skills and intelligence on and off the track. Krack commended Alonso’s outstanding performance, race-craft, and strategic acumen, emphasizing the widespread interest in signing such a remarkable driver, albeit possibly not his former team, Alpine. The contract negotiations with Alonso, which included contingency planning, were swiftly resolved within a couple of days once the decision to stay was made.
