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Fernando Alonso has commented on reports that the FIA president is trying to help him remain in Formula 1 through 2027 by assisting Aston Martin and their engine supplier, Honda.
Alonso is still contemplating his future in the world championship and whether he will return next year for his 24th season. The two-time world champion currently has only three points to his name in 2026, as Aston Martin and Honda have struggled with their package, despite some improvements following a major upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
An engine upgrade from Honda followed for the Dutch Grand Prix, and during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, reports emerged that FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem is aiming to help Honda wherever possible to reach a competitive level. According to the reports, he deemed Alonso's competitive situation "unacceptable" ahead of his home race.
In a public response to these comments, Alonso explained that while he hasn't spoken with Ben Sulayem, he has talked with his Formula 1 counterpart, Stefano Domenicali, and has made his position clear.
"I don't know, I have many things to consider to make a decision for next year," Alonso said when asked about Ben Sulayem's efforts. "I haven't spoken with him, but I speak with Stefano [Domenicali] regularly every week because Formula 1 cannot continue like this. We cannot wait until 2031 to have a real sport, so I think it's my responsibility to help them with my experience to improve these things. "At Turn 12 [at the Madrid circuit], whoever is fastest there – I don't want to mention a name, but Michael [Clayton, Aston Martin's press officer] cannot be faster than Max Verstappen if he has more battery. Turn 12 is such an incredible corner that Max Verstappen should be making the difference compared to Michael, and right now, that's impossible. "It's sad in a way with this generation of cars to come to such a nice track like this, with challenges like 'La Monumental', and the driver's input is almost zero. "Michael can drive Turn 12 because you go full throttle without kinetic deployment. The moment the kinetic energy kicks in, then you're fast on the exit. But in Formula 1 or in motorsport, it should be that at Turn 12, if Michael is braver than me, he is faster. "If I have more skill, then I'm faster than him. That's how it should be in qualifying, and now it all depends on how much charge I have in the battery and whether I will be faster or slower," Alonso added.
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