Inside Fernando Alonso's landmark Aston Martin F1 contract

The curt statement, issued Thursday, confirmed 42-year-old Spanish driver Fernando Alonso would stay with Aston Martin for the foreseeable future despite strong interest from other teams on the Formula One grid.

It was brusque, skillful and a little bit impish ... and just like Alonso. 

"Securing Fernando's long-term future with Aston Martin Aramco is fantastic news," team principal Mike Krack said, per formula1.com. "We have built a strong working relationship over the last 18 months and we share the same determination to see this project succeed."

Alonso began his F1 career in 2001 and has been a near-constant presence in the series since. He retired at the end of the 2019 season to compete in endurance racing but returned to the grid in 2021 with the intent to stay. 

Alonso joined Aston Martin for the 2023 season, earning eight podium finishes to push the British team to fifth in the Constructor Standings.

With more than half of the F1 grid out of contract for 2025, many expected Alonso to "trade up" from Aston Martin and sign a short contract with a stronger team.

Lewis Hamilton's unexpected move to Ferrari opened up a seat at Mercedes, and its team principal, Toto Wolff, publicly identified Alonso as a dream signing to fill Hamilton's spot. But Alonso saw something in Aston Martin's long-term future that piqued his interest.

The team — bankrolled by Saudi oil giant Aramco and Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll — invested heavily in facilities and talent in 2023 and signed an engine partnership with Honda for 2026 and beyond.

With new technical regulations coming to F1 in 2026 — regulations that are certain to shake up the performances and finishing orders of the grid — Alonso saw the beginnings of a bigger story.

"We have incredible, talented people in the team now on the technical side [and] they will benefit from the new wind tunnel and the new facilities at Silverstone, so there were a lot of factors that made '26 very appealing with Aston, and that was a theme," Alonso said of his decision, per formula1.com. "But it's not only for 2026 — it's a lifetime project, in a way, for me."

That 2026 target is interesting because it implies that Alonso's contract will stretch through at least two years of racing.

With F1 performance a fickle thing, driver contracts rarely extend past the two-year mark. For older drivers like Alonso, one-year contracts are the norm. 

It appears that Aston Martin has rewarded Alonso's loyalty with the security of a long-term deal. It may even provide him with options outside of racing if he wishes to move behind the scenes.

"This is the longest contract I've ever signed in my career, so this is something that will keep me linked with Aston for many, many years to come," Alonso said. "Let's see which role, let's see how many more years I will drive."

Alonso's last race in Suzuka, Japan was hailed as one of his greatest performances of all time. With new highs still coming at age 42, Alonso is showing no signs of slowing — and Aston Martin's faith in him could bring massive success for both parties.

Alonso and Aston Martin will return to racing April 21 at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.