Fernando Alonso is reportedly leaning towards continuing his Formula 1 career, but only if he is confident in Aston Martin's competitiveness for next year. The two-time world champion, who turns 45 on Wednesday, is out of contract at the end of the current season and has been discussing his future throughout the year.
The Aston Martin team introduced a new car at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which delivered a significant improvement of approximately two seconds per lap from aerodynamic enhancements and weight-saving measures. This upgrade was seen as a crucial test for the factory's ability to produce effective developments.
The next key development for Alonso's decision will be the new Honda engine, which is scheduled to debut at the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break. Aston Martin believes the Honda power unit is currently about 1.5 seconds per lap behind the best, with hopes the upgrade will reduce this gap by around a third. Alonso is said to be waiting to see the performance of this engine before making a final decision on his future.
Team principal Adrian Newey has expressed the team's desire for Alonso to stay, stating, "Fernando is an amazing driver. He brings huge amounts to the team, both in his feedback and his ability."