Fernando Alonso has put an end to speculation about him potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes as he has decided to stay with Aston Martin. The team announced that Alonso has signed a contract that will keep him with the team through the 2026 season, taking him through his age-45 season as he will turn 43 in July.
Mercedes is in search of a driver to partner with George Russell next season following Hamilton’s move to Ferrari that was announced ahead of the 2024 season. Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes throughout his F1 career and has been with their factory team since 2013. Alonso, who is the oldest driver on the grid, won the F1 title in 2005 and 2006 with Renault and has been showing strong performance since his return to F1 in 2021. He finished fourth in the points standings last season and has been faster than his teammate Lance Stroll, as Aston Martin aims to compete with the top teams in F1.
Mercedes’ search for Hamilton’s replacement could extend into the summer, depending on Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2026, and while the team is performing well, internal issues could potentially prompt him to leave early. Mercedes is reportedly interested in Verstappen, but if that doesn’t pan out, they could consider other options like Carlos Sainz or junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is currently competing in Formula 2 at the age of 17.
Despite being one of the oldest drivers on the grid, Alonso continues to show impressive performance for Aston Martin. The team’s commitment to keeping their aging star around speaks volumes about their confidence in his abilities and their desire for success.
Ferrari’s acquisition of Hamilton means that Mercedes will need a new partner for Russell next season. While Verstappen remains under contract until 2026
