Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are by far the two oldest drivers on the grid. At 41 and 45 years old respectively, they are still incredibly popular. Nevertheless, both former world champions flirted cautiously with retirement last year. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expects – and hopes – that they will remain active for a while longer, although he emphasizes that fans have now also embraced the latest generation of F1 drivers.
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Fernando Alonso already hinted in 2025 that he first wants to wait for Aston Martin’s competitiveness before making a decision about his future. His current contract expires this year, but if he expects to still be able to compete for the world championship in 2027, he might want to extend. Former teammate Lewis Hamilton openly doubted his own qualities last year, which also made his future in Formula 1 seem to hang by a thread for a moment. Recently, however, he expressed his confidence in the new season and emphasized his undiminished love for the sport.
‘Can still compete for a long time’
During the test days in Bahrain, Stefano Domenicali was asked about a possible retirement of the two veterans. “When you talk about Lewis and Fernando, you are talking about absolute greats of Formula 1,” he responded to the media present. “They are protagonists, although they currently face different challenges and opportunities. Do I think they will stop after this year? I have my doubts about that,” he admitted. “They are both fighters and they have already proven that – provided the car and the team are right – they can still compete for a long time.”
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“To be honest, I don’t see them stopping,” Domenicali predicted. “I hope I’m right, because they are a huge asset to Formula 1. At the same time, the sport has always been exciting, no matter what happens. When we introduced five new guys, they immediately proved to be extremely important for a younger generation,” he said, referring to the five rookies who made their debut in 2025. “Teenagers follow them in a way that is fascinating to see; it shows how the audience of our sport is shifting.”
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