Fernando Alonso's future is under the microscope with a shock return to former team Alpine potentially on the cards. The 45-year-old has previously indicated his desire to conclude his Formula 1 career with Aston Martin, but the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix paddock is rife with speculation about a possible final switch.
Alonso's History with Alpine
Alonso, who celebrates his 45th birthday in July, has already enjoyed three previous stints with the Enstone-based outfit. His most fruitful period came when he secured consecutive drivers' championships in 2005 and '06 while the team raced as Renault, with later periods between 2008-09 and 2021-22 proving far less rewarding.
However, he could be poised for one final opportunity at success with the squad. According to Motorsport.com, speculation is mounting that Alonso might be welcomed back by boss Flavio Briatore, who remains the Spaniard's manager. Given this, the bond between the pair stays robust and Alonso would undoubtedly weigh up the prospect should Briatore extend the invitation to return.
Aston Martin's Struggles
Such a transfer, however, would require abandoning the long-term arrangement Alonso holds with Aston Martin. While his F1 racing career is evidently drawing to a close, it is believed his deal secures him an ambassadorial position with the outfit once he retires from competition, which would keep him connected to F1 for numerous years ahead.
Yet while Aston Martin clearly possess tremendous potential, their present circumstances are bleak. This was meant to be the campaign in which they advanced towards the front of the grid as part of their long-term strategy to claim World Championship glory, but performance has regressed and the team's fresh engine partnership with Honda has endured a catastrophic beginning.
They started the season with a complete absence of performance and reliability, to the extent they were unable to finish either of the opening two races of the campaign. They aren't suffering mechanical failures quite so frequently anymore but the pace shortfall persists.
That said, Alonso did manage to claim the team's first point of 2026 last Sunday in Monaco after Sergio Perez received a post-race penalty, dropping him and newcomers Cadillac beneath him in the final classification.
Alpine's Upward Trajectory
Alpine on the other hand, have enjoyed an upward trajectory this year having finished dead last in the constructors' championship in 2025. After more than a decade out of F1, Briatore is back in command and, with powerful Mercedes engines, the team currently sits fifth as the best team in the midfield so far in 2026.
Alonso's mood is buoyant this weekend at one of his two home races this season, and the venue of his most recent F1 triumph back in 2013. But the Barcelona circuit will not appear on the 2027 race calendar and Alonso acknowledged on media day that this is probably going to be his final F1 race at Montmelo.
He said: "It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1. So, I want to say thanks to everyone." In a separate interview, he added: "After summer I will take the decision to continue or not."
