Fernando Alonso signs contract extension with F1 Aston Martin team

Fernando Alonso has agreed to a contract extension to remain with Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, it was announced Thursday.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise with the 42-year-old being reportedly linked to moves to Mercedes and Red Bull, who currently have open seats on the grid next season.

Alonso's current deal with Aston Martin was set to expire at the end of this year.

“Securing Fernando’s long-term future with Aston Martin Aramco is fantastic news," team boss Mike Krack wrote in a statement.

"We have built a strong working relationship over the last 18 months and we share the same determination to see this project succeed.

"We have been in constant dialogue over the last few months, and Fernando has been true to his word: when he decided he wanted to continue racing, he talked to us first. Fernando has shown he believes in us, and we believe in him.

"Fernando is hungry for success, driving better than ever, is fitter than ever, and is completely dedicated to making Aston Martin Aramco a competitive force.

"This multi-year agreement with Fernando takes us into 2026, when we begin our works power-unit partnership with Honda. We look forward to creating more incredible memories and achieving further success together."

Alonso sits eighth in the Formula 1 driver standings with 24 points, while Aston Martin is fifth in the constructor standings behind Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.

Alonso joined Aston Martin in a shocking departure from Alpine in 2023, helping his team secure podium finishes in the first three races of the season. Alonso also helped the team earn its highest finish in the constructor standings in F1, with a fifth-place showing, and finished with a fourth-place finish in the drivers' standings, which was his best result since 2013, when he was second.