Fernando Alonso has signed his “longest contract ever” with Aston Martin at an age that is considered retirement age in not just motorsport but most sports. Considering that his Ferrari contract from 2012 to 2016 was the longest, this deal with Aston Martin could extend well until 2031. That ensures his future for the longest term, compared to any other rival from the current grid. Moreover, Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has even confirmed that the 2-time champion will retire with Aston Martin.

Though neither Alonso nor the team has mentioned the exact length of the contract, simple math takes the win here. Only a 6-year AMR contract can trump the previous longest 5-year Ferrari contract. In this scenario, the Spaniard will be 49 when the contract expires. This falls exactly in line with his pre-season prediction: “I would say that if you are motivated and if you want to commit you can drive maybe until 48 or 49 or even 50.”

But surely his body would have had enough of the immense F1 g-forces by 2031. That would put an end to not just one of the most glorious but also the longest F1 career ever. Pedro de la Rosa is even sure that their star driver will hang up his boots in the AMR Green. “Fernando (Alonso) will retire in Aston Martin,” de la Rosa told F1 Nation.

It is heartwarming to see the trust that Alonso has placed in Billionaire Lawrence Stroll and the Silverstone-based team. But all is not as it seems. According to an F1 expert Marc Hughes, this renewal wasn’t his first choice.

Fernando Alonso re-signed with Aston Martin because Red Bull rejected him

Before Alonso went through with his Aston Martin deal, he was reported to be in contact with Red Bull and Mercedes. While his position in RB’s priority prospect order wasn’t clear, he was Mercedes’ 2nd choice, after Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Today, an X user claimed that Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso were offered the Red Bull drive for 2025. But fearing Max Verstappen’s might, they backed out. Replying to this tweet, F1 pundit Mark Hughes wrote: “Neither Leclerc, Hamilton nor Alonso were offered a place. Hamilton and Alonso both tried and were told no.”

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This claim from Hughes comes as a shocker amid Alonso’s renewal with Aston Martin. Maybe finishing his F1 career with Lawrence Stroll & Co. wasn’t his first choice. Nonetheless, it became his final choice – one that could at least get him the much-awaited 33rd victory, if not a 3rd championship.