Button claims Fernando Alonso ‘little bit of doubt’ ahead of Aston Martin extension

Jenson Button has revealed there was a “little bit of doubt” about Fernando Alonso continuing with Aston Martin next season, but says the 45-year-old has still got what it takes to compete at the “top level” of motorsport.

After months of speculation, Aston Martin announced in September that Alonso had re-signed for F1 2027 in an unchanged line-up that also includes Lance Stroll.

Jenson Button on Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin future and F1 retirement

Double world champion Alonso’s future in Formula 1 had been one of the big topics in the first half of the championship.

The Spaniard’s Aston Martin contract was set to expire at the end of this year, with Alonso admitting he was undecided about continuing in the sport.

Not only was he one of the more vocal critics of the new power unit regulations, but Aston Martin and its new engine partner Honda were also struggling just to score points.

Alonso finally announced his decision in late September.

“It took me a little bit of time to make my decision, but now I have things very clear in my mind. I will retire from Formula 1… but not yet,” he said in a social media video.

“I still feel fast, motivated, and huge passion for Formula 1 and for the sport. So yeah, I’m so happy to keep racing in the highest category, and it is my life.”

Button says that while there was some uncertainty before Alonso came to his decision, the Aston Martin driver still has what it takes to compete at the highest level of motor racing.

“I mean, there always has to be a little bit of doubt, because he’s 45 years old now,” the 2019 world champion told the official F1 website. “I’ve been out of the sport for 10 years, and I retired because I was tired!

“I mean it always has to be a little bit of that, but it amazes me – his dedication and how much he loves competing at the top level, and he’s still got it. So why not then keep going until he doesn’t want it anymore?

“He is going to want to see progress, that is the main thing. He probably knows he’s not going to win races any time soon, but as long as he can see progress and he is moving closer to that win, that’s what’s going to keep him going.

“I don’t know how he does it. I really don’t. He lives racing, he lives F1. When he’s not in an F1 car he’s in a go-kart on his track or he’s driving ex-DTM cars.

“He’s always driving something, and that’s his passion, and he likes driving on dirt as well. He keeps himself very busy with racing, and fair play to him.

“For me, it was great to retire from F1 to go and do other things. Also, I’ve got other things I want to do in life, but his dedication to motorsport is undeniable and I think unparallelled.”

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Alonso’s extension means he’ll spend a fifth season alongside Lance Stroll in the long unchanged line-up on the F1 2027 grid.

“I think that’s really important for this team and continuity with both drivers is really important,” Button said. “They’ve been through the rough and hoping for the smooth, and the feedback from both of them is really key.

“Fernando is obviously the one that’s won the world championships, but Lance’s feedback is also important.

“We need two drivers’ feedback to enhance the car and [to make] a car that works for both drivers as well, you need that. That’s when you’re fighting for points.”

Alonso has scored Aston Martin’s seven points this season, with the team 10th in the Constructors’ Championship.

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