{"id":38717,"date":"2026-06-11T16:13:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/38717\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:13:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:13:23","slug":"fernando-alonso-issues-huge-f1-retirement-hint-ahead-of-barcelona-gp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/38717\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Alonso issues huge F1 retirement hint ahead of Barcelona GP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fernando Alonso has admitted that this year\u2019s Formula 1 <\/a>Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix<\/a> could be his last, dropping a major retirement hint. <\/p>\n

Alonso is F1\u2019s most experienced driver, first racing in Barcelona back in 2001 for the Minardi, in a very different generation and era of car.<\/p>\n

With a career spanning 25 years across two stints in the sport, he has achieved two world championships, 32 wins, 106 podiums and 22 pole positions; he is one of F1\u2019s most illustrious drivers. <\/p>\n

But speculation has grown that Alonso, now 44, is approaching the end of his career, the struggles of Aston Martin potentially accelerating his timeline for departure.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Media day in Barcelona on Thursday, Alonso freely admitted that 2026 could be his last race at the track where he has won twice. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1,\u201d he said to media, including Motorsport Week. <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying. In the race, hopefully yes, but not at the pace we all want.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want everyone to still enjoy the weekend. It has always been a celebration when we come to Barcelona. I think this is my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix and all of them, they\u2019ve been magical. This last has to be magical as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AlonsoAlonso has won in Barcelona twice, in 2006 and 2013<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso confirms a final retirement decision incoming<\/p>\n

Alonso then outlined when he will make his final decision on continuing in the sport past this season, a stance he previously vocally favoured, but now appears to be questioning due to Aston Martin\u2019s competitiveness woes. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really have anything in mind. After the summer I will take the decision whether to continue or not,\u201d Alonso continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cBarcelona is obviously not happening next year and if I don\u2019t know what I will do next year, it\u2019s nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI consider that every race I go to this year that potentially it could be my last time in Australia, my last time in China, my last time in Monaco, and here in Barcelona, there is a little bit more of that chance as it is not happening next year as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the hardest thing is not to win races and be competitive,\u201d he said. \u201cIf it\u2019s the last, or not the last, it\u2019s not affecting too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m at peace with my career and my life and if anything comes now, [it\u2019s] welcome. If it doesn\u2019t come, it doesn\u2019t change my feeling. I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was racing in Spain I never dreamt to be a Formula 1 driver, then to race for the best teams in the paddock and stay for a very long time. Everything is a plus and it is a plus now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not as competitive as we want to be now and that is probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. In terms of personal feeling, it\u2019s not too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Aston Martin braced for further F1 test with \u2018nowhere to hide\u2019 Barcelona GP circuit
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