Fernando Alonso already knows what will tell him when it’s time to retire from Formula 1

Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Fernando Alonso has already shared what would signal to him that it’s time to walk away from Formula 1, as questions about his future continue to circulate.

The 44-year-old Spaniard is widely regarded as one of the sport’s top drivers, having won two world championships and built a career spanning more than two decades.

Alonso has raced for some of the biggest teams in F1, including Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine and Aston Martin.

With his 45th birthday approaching in July and Aston Martin struggling this season, there has been increasing speculation about how much longer he’ll stay in the sport.

Even so, Alonso has made it clear that he doesn’t feel ready to leave just yet. Speaking previously via Sportskeeda, Alonso said:

Fernando Alonso has already said what will tell him when to retire

In her new book, ‘F1 Racing Drive’, Sky Sports reporter Rachel Brookes, Alonso has said it won’t be team results that decide his retirement, but rather the stopwatch or physical limitations.

Brookes wrote: “The fact that Fernando Alonso is still in the sport in his mid-40s says a great deal. But he says car performance will not dictate his retirement date.

“Others get frustrated when they finish fifth a few times, but I’ve been eliminated in Q1, and I once blew up 13 engines in one season. In this sport, you have to be mentally strong.

“I think at the end of the day, the stopwatch will tell me when I have to stop, or I will have a medical condition that is bad or gives me pain; that could happen as well.”

Alonso added: “I know that one day I will have to stop. I did stop Formula 1 already back in 2018 and came back because I needed it. So, the next one has to be 100% for sure.”

Fernando Alonso comfortable with Aston Martin’s slow start

Aston Martin has struggled to find its footing in 2026, with the AMR26 falling well short of expectations.