Alonso addresses key concern over extended F1 deal

Fernando Alonso has declared he will be the first to hold up his hands if he feels his age is holding back his on-track performances. Last week Alonso announced a contract extension with Aston Martin that will take him into at least the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. The two-time world champion is set to become the first 45-year-old F1 driver in over 50 years and has not ruled out the prospect of continuing even longer in the sport. When asked if he will be part of the Aston Martin organisation beyond his role as a driver, Alonso told media including RacingNews365 : “Probably yes. “I don't know when to stop driving. I signed the contract that I will be in the car. “But if I stop a little bit earlier than the contract [of] driving, I will be in a different role.” 'I will be the first one to raise my hand' Despite being the oldest driver on the grid at 43, Alonso has continued to impress with his on-track performances and self-declared the Japanese Grand Prix almost two weeks ago as one of his career-best outings. However, the Spaniard is not oblivious to the complications that could arise as he gets older. “Yes, it is true, I will be 45 or more, and keep racing,” Alonso said. “If one day I feel that I’m not motivated or I feel the race not in good shape or feel I’m not fast – maybe I go to one period of the season I feel not fast or I feel [not] really sharp into the things of the race itself or qualifying or whatever – I think I have the relationship with Aston to be very honest. “I will be the first one to raise my hand and say ‘I have maybe lost here or there’ and we will find solutions. “But I don’t see that coming for the next few years. As I said in Japan probably one of my best races ever happened … so I’m feeling good, feeling strong, so I don’t feel any problem there. “And Lewis [Hamilton] will have 40 years next year in January, so on this I will not be the only one 40 plus that will talk, maybe there are more drivers.”