Domenicali Opens Up: ‘We Need Heroes Like Alonso’ – Discussing Domenicali Alonso F1 future
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made an impassioned public plea for Fernando Alonso to remain on the grid, insisting the sport still needs the kind of heroic figures that the two-time world champion uniquely represents. Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS during the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix weekend, Domenicali set aside any diplomatic restraint to reveal just how much Alonso’s current plight affects him in the context of the Domenicali Alonso F1 future.
“I suffer a lot for Alonso, because I have a lot of respect for him and I know he’s fantastic,” the F1 CEO said.
The words carry particular weight given the context in which they were spoken: Alonso had just endured a miserable home weekend, qualifying last for Aston Martin-Honda before retiring from Sunday’s race with a battery failure.
A Weekend to Forget on Home Soil
The Spanish Grand Prix was supposed to be a celebration. The Spaniard is in his 23rd season of competition, having made his debut 26 years ago, firmly cementing himself as the sport’s outright elder statesman. Yet the reality in 2026 has been brutal. Alonso began 2026 with back-to-back retirements in Australia and China, and an 18th-place finish in Japan — the AMR26, the only car on the grid running a Honda engine, has suffered from reliability problems and a lack of outright pace. You can read more about Honda’s Painful Start with Aston Martin: The Inside Story to understand the scale of the challenge facing the Silverstone outfit.
Alonso himself acknowledged the emotional significance of what could prove a final farewell at his home circuit. “Sure. It’s going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1,” he said. “So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend.”
Domenicali’s Message: The Car, Not the Driver
Despite the grim results, Domenicali was emphatic that Alonso’s talent remains undimmed. “But I know that he is a resilient person. He will have the opportunity, I hope, if they give him a good car to show the talent he has. His mentality is one of fearless commitment, at all levels. He needs the right project. I hope he will be here and not just for a year, for a long time.”
In separate comments to DAZN, Domenicali was equally blunt: “He’s a champion and he needs a car that showcases his talent and pace. If Fernando were in another car, he’d be at the top.”
When pressed on what Formula 1 would stand to lose if Alonso decided to hang up his helmet, the F1 chief refused to engage. “It’s not the time to talk about that because I want to see him here for a long time,” he said. He even allowed himself a touch of levity, with Domenicali joking to AS: “I hope Fernando can stay here for 50 years, although he won’t agree.”
Alpine Rumours and the Road Ahead
The backdrop to Domenicali’s comments is a swirling driver market. The Spaniard is mulling his options for next season, with multiple sources telling PlanetF1.com that Alpine is pushing to re-sign Alonso, who is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of this campaign. A move back to the French outfit would see him reunited with Flavio Briatore — the man who guided him to both of his world titles.
Alonso himself has remained characteristically non-committal. He admits that he is “open to everything” regarding his future in Formula 1 after a difficult start to the 2026 campaign with Aston Martin, adding that no decision would be made prior to the summer break. Becoming a father for the first time this year has also added a new dimension to his thinking — Alonso has said he wants his son to see him race, noting: “I will like not to stop before he’s in the paddock or sits in my car.”
As the 2026 season heads into its second half, the path forward for one of Formula 1’s greatest ever drivers remains deliciously unresolved. With the FIA Formally Ratifying 2027 F1 Power Unit Rule Changes and the grid’s technical landscape shifting dramatically, the prospect of Alonso finding the “right project” — whether at Aston Martin or elsewhere — could yet write another thrilling chapter in a career that has never lacked for drama. Whether it translates into the competitive opportunity Domenicali believes he deserves depends on decisions yet to be made — by Aston Martin, by Alpine, or by the driver himself.
