Fernando Alonso will continue his Formula One career with Aston Martin beyond his 46th birthday, following a brief contract extension discussion with team owner Lawrence Stroll. The two-time world champion, who celebrated his 45th birthday in July, confirmed the agreement on Thursday, maintaining the current partnership with Canadian driver Lance Stroll for the 2027 season.

Alonso has become the oldest active driver in the sport, having debuted in 2001 and started a record 440 Grand Prix races. He won consecutive world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. Despite the longevity of his career, Alonso described the recent contract negotiation as straightforward and quick. “We both wanted to continue at that point and it was a five-minute talk,” he told reporters at the Sepang circuit.

The decision comes amid a challenging season for Aston Martin, which has struggled with an uncompetitive car and Honda power units. The team has accumulated just three points over 15 races—all scored by Alonso—placing 10th out of 11 teams in the constructors’ standings. Nevertheless, Alonso remains motivated by a strong inner drive, acknowledging the difficulty but emphasizing his enjoyment and competitive spirit.

“If I’m sitting at home watching TV, watching races, I will feel that I can do better than them,” Alonso said. Reflecting on his time away from Formula One between 2019 and 2021, he credited that period as essential to his sustained performance and adaptability. During that hiatus, he explored other racing disciplines, gaining experience that has helped him adjust to the evolving technical landscape of Formula One.

“I had to stop,” Alonso explained. “I had to switch off from Formula One. I had to experience different Formulas and different series... I try to use that strength.” He cited his ability to adapt to a variety of cars, engines, tyre manufacturers, and systems such as KERS and hybrid technology as key to his longevity.

Alonso also acknowledged personal considerations influencing his decision to continue racing, particularly after becoming a father earlier this year with partner Melissa Jimenez. He noted that family concerns, including worries about his health during a difficult season, were a factor, though his competitive drive ultimately prevailed.

“She’s feeling the pain also this year and she’s worried about my health when we are not competitive,” Alonso said with a smile. “Yeah, she prefers me away when we are not competitive.” Despite the challenges, Alonso is poised to extend his remarkable career and continue competing at the highest level of motorsport.