Fernando Alonso has firmly distanced himself from suggestion that he could race into his 50s. The 43-year-old Spaniard, a two-time champion, says he has no intention of competing at that age and plans to take things on a "year-by-year" basis from here on out.

In 2023, Hamilton, now 40, expressed a "never say never" stance on driving in his 50s, and refused to rule out the possibility that both he and Alonso will still be competing in a decade's time. , however, was unequivocal about his timeline. "I don't see myself [competing in F1] at 50," the star told . "I will drive as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me at the wheel... That's why we kept open the possibility as well."

Alonso, who will be 44 in July, has endured a challenging start to the 2025 season, having failed to score a single point so far. He's the oldest driver on the grid, with 22 seasons in F1 under his belt.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of his first world title win, and it's clear his passion for the sport remains undimmed, even as he navigates the uncompetitive AMR25 car. Looking ahead, Alonso is optimistic about Aston Martin's future, particularly with the arrival of legendary designer and a major regulation change in 2026.

"I wanted to race this year for sure and next year for sure because of the change of regulations. But after 2026, I don't know. I will go season by season. I will see how I feel, how motivated I am," he said. "Now I am very motivated, but I cannot guarantee that for three or four years and compromise the team. So we said let's do it until the end of 2026."

Alonso's candidness reflects a desire not to hinder Aston Martin's progress, a team he believes is building toward a championship-contending future. He also says he'd love to help the team in whatever capacity he can.

"We can sit and talk honestly between all of us and check what is best for the team. I will always be in a position to help the team with whatever they need," he insisted. "If it's behind the wheel, I will extend the contract if they think that way, and I feel motivated."

He added: "My contract is much longer than my racing career, so I will stay with this team for many, many years in a different role. If that means we can win a World Championship even when I'm not behind the wheel, I will still feel very proud of the project."

Despite the team's recent struggles, Alonso remains energised by the team's growth. "I did enjoy 2023, being competitive. And I do enjoy now the process that we are in and the building of this team of the future," he said.

His move to Aston Martin from Alpine in 2023 was driven by a belief that the team offered a better shot at success in the short term, given his limited remaining years as a driver. "I don't have a long-term future, I will not race forever," he admitted.

Alonso's hunger for more victories, and potentially even a third world title, is what's keeping him focused. But should he sense any decline in his speed or motivation, he's prepared to step aside. "If I don't feel fast enough, I will be the first one to raise my hand," he stressed.

For now, Alonso is all-in for 2026, hoping the new regulations and Newey's expertise will propel Aston Martin to the front. While Hamilton entertains the idea of racing into his 50s, Alonso's plan is clear: race hard, contribute to the team's success, and exit on his terms - likely well before reaching 50.