F1 Legend's Uncertain Future
Fernando Alonso Hints Barcelona GP Likely His Last for Years, Weighing Retirement Amid Aston Martin Struggles
Key Points
Alonso said he expects he will not even be able to stay long in qualifying, adding: “I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in Qualifying – in the race, hopefully yes.”
He was sharply critical of Aston Martin’s Monaco point, saying the team “did not ‘deserve’ the point … ‘in terms of pure pace’” and that it “will be difficult to score this year,” stressing they will need help from cars ahead to take points.
AP reported Alonso’s current season numbers as stark: he has “just one point” and is “18th out of 22 drivers,” while also noting his last F1 victory was in 2013 at Montmeló.
The rotation timetable was more specific than “returning in 2028”: it is set to host races in 2028, 2030, and 2032, with Barcelona alternating with Spa-Francorchamps starting next season.
TJ13 added detail about the emotional setup for Alonso: he noted that “10,000 of his supporters would fill the grandstand bearing his name, Alonso Land,” for what TJ13 describes as an almost personal farewell.
Fernando Alonso said Thursday that this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will "probably" be his last race at the famous Montmeló circuit. The 44-year-old Aston Martin driver pointed to the track's new biennial rotation schedule, his expiring contract, and a difficult 2026 season as reasons this farewell feels real. AP reported that Alonso sits 18th out of 22 drivers in the standings with just one point, his last F1 win coming at this very track back in 2013.
Alonso said he is "at peace" with the possibility of nearing the end of his career, but stopped short of a formal retirement announcement. He said he will decide whether to continue racing "after the summer." Meanwhile, 10,000 of his supporters are expected to pack the grandstand named after him — Alonso Land — for what many believe could be a final goodbye.
Barcelona Drops Off the Calendar Until 2028
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will not host a race in 2027. Formula 1 struck a deal in February 2026 to keep the venue on the calendar through 2032, but in a rotation with Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps. Barcelona is set to host races in 2028, 2030, and 2032. F1i reported that this rotation is the key reason Alonso framed this weekend as his likely final appearance at the track.
Barcelona also lost its "Spanish Grand Prix" title to a new Madrid street circuit, which hosts the inaugural Spanish GP in September 2026. The Montmeló event was rebranded as the "Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix." Mundo Deportivo noted that Alonso's career began in 2001, meaning he has raced through nearly the entire modern era of the Montmeló circuit.
Aston Martin Struggles Leave Alonso Stuck in the Pack
Alonso was blunt about his car's pace. He said he "will not be competitive" and will not "be too long in qualifying." He was equally harsh about Monaco, saying Aston Martin "did not deserve" their single point there "in terms of pure pace." He warned that scoring points in 2026 will be "difficult" and the team will need cars ahead of them to fall out to pick up any results.
Yahoo Sports reported that the 2026 Honda-powered Aston Martin has not met expectations. Anonymous sources close to the team's Silverstone factory told The Judge 13 that many inside the operation believe Alonso will retire at the end of the 2025 season. Alonso himself has avoided any public commitment either way.
10,000 Fans Fill Alonso Land for a Possible Final Lap
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya launched "Alonso Land" in September 2025 — a dedicated fan zone that holds 10,000 supporters. The Judge 13 described the setup as an "almost personal farewell," with the grandstand bearing Alonso's name packed by devoted Spanish fans. Alonso called the weekend "special" and "celebratory," even as he acknowledged the car will not let him fight at the front.
A Summer Decision Will Seal His Fate
Alonso's contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of 2026. He said he will weigh his options after the summer break before making any decision. He is 44 years old and will turn 45 in July, making him by far the oldest driver on the grid. Head Topics reported that Alonso described himself as "at peace" — a phrase that signals he is mentally prepared for the end, even if the formal call has not come yet.
If Alonso does retire, Barcelona will go dark for F1 in 2027, and he would not race there again until 2028 at the earliest — at age 46. Yahoo Sports noted that his last F1 victory came at Montmeló in 2013, more than a decade ago. The math is stark: one point, 18th place, and a track disappearing from the calendar for two years.
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