FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed concern that Fernando Alonso could end his Formula 1 career because of Aston Martin’s poor competitiveness, arguing that the two-time world champion deserves a stronger final chapter in the sport.
Alonso, 45, is out of contract at the end of the 2026 season and has yet to decide whether he will continue racing beyond this year. Speaking on Thursday, the Spaniard indicated that a decision on his future is still some way off.
His uncertainty comes during a difficult campaign for Aston Martin. The team currently sits 10th in the constructors’ championship after struggling for pace, while its Honda power unit has also been assessed as the least powerful on the grid.
Ben Sulayem believes Alonso should not feel pushed toward retirement simply because the machinery available to him has prevented him from competing near the front.
FIA President Plans Alonso Talks
Speaking at an event in Madrid, Ben Sulayem said he intends to discuss Alonso’s situation directly with the veteran driver.
The FIA president suggested Alonso appeared deeply frustrated by Aston Martin’s current form, particularly while competing in his home country as one of Spain’s most successful motorsport figures.
Ben Sulayem indicated that the governing body had already taken steps earlier in the season that could help manufacturers struggling with engine performance. He also suggested that Alonso’s perspective as a driver would be valuable when considering what could improve the competitive situation.
His comments attracted attention because the FIA is responsible for administering Formula 1 regulations independently, raising questions over how far its president should become involved in the competitive fortunes of an individual driver or team.
An FIA spokesperson later clarified that Ben Sulayem had been referring specifically to Formula 1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, known as ADUO.
Honda Eligible for Extra Development Opportunities
The ADUO framework allows manufacturers to make additional power-unit developments when their engine is assessed as being more than 2% behind the strongest unit on the grid.
The system is designed to prevent major performance gaps from becoming entrenched under the current engine regulations and to give struggling manufacturers a route toward closing the deficit.
According to the FIA, Ben Sulayem’s comments were intended to reference that existing regulatory mechanism rather than suggest special intervention on behalf of Alonso or Aston Martin.
The governing body also sought to play down concerns that the FIA president was proposing to influence competitive outcomes directly. It said his remarks reflected his enthusiasm for drivers and his own background in motorsport rather than a plan to step beyond the FIA’s regulatory responsibilities.
Ben Sulayem’s presidency has previously attracted scrutiny over changes to FIA governance, including controversy surrounding internal checks and balances.
For Alonso, however, the immediate question remains whether Aston Martin can show enough progress to convince him to extend one of the longest careers in Formula 1 history. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the team’s performance over the coming months could play an important role in determining whether the Spaniard continues into 2027.