Dec.18 (GMM) Pedro de la Rosa admits even Fernando Alonso himself does not yet know how long his Formula 1 career will last beyond the new 2026 regulations.
The Spaniards are long-time friends and colleagues, and de la Rosa now works alongside Alonso at Aston Martin as a brand ambassador. Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, de la Rosa said the decision will come down purely to Alonso’s own feeling.
“I’ve learned from Fernando to appreciate his talent and to work with him race by race,” he said. “I don’t know – and I don’t think he knows either.
“It’s a very personal matter, and when he finds that he’s losing some performance or lacking energy, he’ll be the first to raise his hand. But in the meantime, that’s not happening.”
De la Rosa insisted there are no signs of decline. “I assure you that I haven’t seen him drop in performance even a little bit in any race this year. We have to enjoy watching him.
“The human body has its limits, but I haven’t seen Fernando reach them yet. He still has tremendous enthusiasm and strength, which is the most important thing.”
However, he acknowledged that time is not on Alonso’s side. “It’s also true that we have to give him a better car, and that’s the goal, because age is what it is, and we can’t wait any longer.”
That urgency surfaced in Abu Dhabi after the season finale, when de la Rosa spontaneously challenged 44-year-old Alonso with a question as the driver climbed out of the car.
“If you can finish sixth with this year, what can you do with a more normal car?” de la Rosa asked. Alonso’s reply was immediate: “Finish first.”
Reflecting on the moment, de la Rosa stressed there was nothing rehearsed about it. “The truth is, it was an interview that wasn’t even planned. I didn’t even know what I was going to ask him.
“Fernando had just gotten out of the car, he was sweating, he’d put on his ice pack, and that question just came from within me, and his answer came from even deeper. It was powerful.
“That’s where Fernando left it,” de la Rosa concluded. “And his aspirations are clear.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES