Fernando Alonso has scored all three of Aston Martin's points this season, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has declared it would be unacceptable for the 45-year-old two-time world champion to depart Formula 1 while driving an uncompetitive car.
Alonso is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of this season. On Thursday, he indicated that his decision on whether to remain in F1 would not come quickly, saying it would be made "not soon". Aston Martin currently sits 10th in the championship after fielding an uncompetitive machine, while their engine partner Honda supplies the least powerful power-unit on the grid.
Speaking at an event in Madrid on Friday, Ben Sulayem stated:
There is no way we can allow Fernando to leave - Alonso, a great champion - to leave just because of the circumstances. That's not the way to leave the stage. He has to be successful and then he leaves whenever he wants, not because he was forced to leave because of the performance.
Ben Sulayem's tenure as FIA president has been marked by controversy surrounding governance changes, including the removal of checks and balances within the organisation. During his remarks about Alonso, he elaborated on his position, saying:
I will be speaking to him. I said to him, I saw him very sad, and I said, 'Fernando, I understand, it's not acceptable that you are coming to your own country and now after two times a world champion…' We did something earlier, in May, legally for the team towards the engine to go and improve, and then I said to him: 'I am not going to tell you what we are going to do. Please tell me what you want because you are the driver and come and tell me what do you want us to do to improve these results.'
An FIA spokesperson clarified that Ben Sulayem was referring to F1's additional development and upgrade opportunities (Aduo) system, which grants engine manufacturers whose power-units are assessed to be more than 2% behind the best chances to upgrade their design.
It is a comment about the Aduo process and that he hopes FA stays in the sport. That is all.
When pressed on whether Ben Sulayem appeared to be suggesting he could intervene to make changes in a manner that might exceed his position as leader of an organisation tasked with independently and objectively administering the sport, the spokesperson responded:
He is passionate about the drivers, having been one himself, and I really would not read too much into this.
International attention to Alonso's future
Ben Sulayem's comments drew swift attention from international media. According to a major U.S. sports outlet, the FIA president vowed to attempt to persuade Alonso to reconsider leaving Formula 1. The remarks were also covered by the FIA's own communications on 11 September 2026, framing them as part of Ben Sulayem's broader effort regarding Alonso's future in the sport.
Alonso's contract history and Honda partnership
Alonso's current situation with Aston Martin extends from a multi-year agreement confirmed in April 2024. According to motorsport coverage, the extension specifically keeps him with the team through the end of the 2026 season and aligns with Aston Martin's works Honda power-unit partnership beginning in 2026. This timing places Alonso's next contract decision at the conclusion of F1's current technical cycle, with the sport's next major technical era commencing in 2026.
The partnership between Aston Martin and Honda was designed with ambitious goals. When Honda introduced its RA626H engine, the aim was to power Alonso's Aston Martin project to the front of the grid. However, the season has not unfolded as planned, with the power-unit proving to be the least competitive on the grid.
Recent performance challenges and updates
Alonso has been vocal about the difficulties facing the partnership. In late August, he stated that the new Honda power unit had set Aston Martin "back to square one," with two or three races of optimisation still required. Despite a season-best ninth-place finish at Zandvoort on 24 August, Alonso expressed that he wanted more consistency from the upgraded Honda power unit, according to motorsport reporting.
Aston Martin and Honda have been working on engine updates throughout the season to address power and drivability issues. The Aduo system referenced by Ben Sulayem represents one mechanism through which the FIA attempts to level the playing field for disadvantaged engine manufacturers during a season.
Alonso's commitment amid uncertainty
Despite the current struggles, Alonso has previously expressed commitment to the project. In July, he stated he had "zero doubts" about staying with Aston Martin for the time being and was not moving to another team, according to reporting from that period. His Thursday statement that a decision on his future would come "not soon" suggests he is taking time to assess whether the partnership can improve before committing to an extension beyond 2026.
What happens next
Alonso's contract with Aston Martin concludes at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, making that the natural decision point for his next move. The 2026 season will also mark the beginning of F1's next major technical cycle, providing both Aston Martin and Honda with an opportunity to reset their partnership with new regulations. Ben Sulayem's public intervention suggests the FIA will be monitoring the situation closely and may seek to support efforts to keep the two-time world champion in the sport.
