FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reveals in a speech how he wants to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. The Emirati wants to prevent the Spanish star – who earlier in his career won two world titles – from leaving the sport purely because of the regulations: “We cannot afford for Fernando, a great champion, to leave only because of the circumstances.”
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Fernando Alonso was also asked about his future in Formula 1 during his first home race weekend at the Madrid circuit. However, the Spaniard made it clear that he would not immediately come to a decision about his further career. For now, the two-time world champion is leaving his decision to stay or not in the top class dependent on the upcoming regulation changes.
“It’s about gaining insight into the rules for next year and the consequences they will have for the races and for the drivers,” said the Aston Martin driver. “These cars are not the best to drive or to enjoy. But I think next year a step in the right direction will be taken; hopefully that is the case.” Earlier, the FIA announced it would revise the regulations for 2027.
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants to prevent the Spanish star from leaving solely because of the regulations. “We cannot afford for Fernando, a great champion, to leave only because of the circumstances. You don’t say goodbye to someone of his caliber like that,” the FIA chief said during a speech at the New Economy Forum in Madrid. “He must first experience success again, and then he will leave when he wants to. But not because of disappointing performances.”
‘I saw how sad he was’
The Emirati therefore already sat down with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and is also planning a conversation with the Spaniard himself. “I had already seen him very sad earlier and said: ‘Tell me what we need to do to improve performance.’ We then implemented legal changes in May so that (Honda, ed.) can improve the engine.” Whether Ben Sulayem’s help will indeed keep Alonso longer in Formula 1 remains to be seen.
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