Alonso ‘still dreaming’ of third world title Fernando Alonso is considering his past, present and future in Formula 1 – and most of all his thoughts on his prospects of winning a third world drivers’ title, even though he is 43 and it’s 18 years since his last.

“I still dream,” Alonso says. “Why not? I know 2026 is probably my only chance because 2025 is extremely difficult, but I am still dreaming.

“F1 is for dreamers, probably, because anything can happen. Let’s see.”

It’s a comment that says a lot about Alonso. It talks to his pure love of what he does, and his unwavering belief that, despite the experiences of the past decade and more of his career, fresh success could be just around the corner.

Fernando Alonso’s long wait for another Formula 1 victory continues, now stretching 11 years since his last grand prix win. After a promising start to the 2023 season, where he became a regular frontrunner with Aston Martin and came close to ending that drought, the team’s performance ultimately faded. And after the longest season in F1 history, Alonso’s early hopes have once again been met with the harsh reality of results.

Yet, despite the setbacks, the two-time world champion still believes more wins—and even another title—could be within reach. His optimism is not without reason. Aston Martin made headlines three months ago when they announced the signing of Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the greatest car designer in F1 history.

Newey, who is leaving Red Bull after 18 years, will begin working with Aston Martin in March 2025. The expectation is that he will bring his expertise to the car Aston Martin develops for the major regulation changes in 2026, potentially elevating the team to the front of the grid.

“Expectations will be high because it is a new car, a change of regulations, a car made by Adrian,” Alonso said. “Probably—or at least to start—it will be my last season in F1. Because my contract finishes at the end of 2026. It is the time of delivering and the time of truth. High expectations.”

A Long-Awaited Partnership

For Alonso, finally teaming up with Newey is bittersweet, as he knows their time together will be brief. The two have come close to working together multiple times, but the timing never aligned. Now, Alonso will finally drive a car designed by Newey—but at the age of 44, approaching 45, even he knows he can’t race forever.

After missing out on a move to Red Bull in 2007 and again in 2013, Alonso sees their partnership as fate.

“Destiny,” Alonso said. “It seems like destiny always kept me from the opportunity. But he came now at the end of my career, and I will still enjoy as much as I can, try to learn from him.

“We have this mutual respect. We exchanged some messages and spoke from time to time, and it seems like we always connected. We never worked together, but we were always on the same frequency when we talked in the past. I am looking forward.

“And