Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has indicated for the first time that he wants to stay in Formula 1 beyond this season.

The Spaniard, who is out of contract at the end of the year, said at the Monaco historic grand prix on Saturday that 2026 would be “hopefully not the last season”.

Previously, Alonso had only said that he would consider his future during this year, that it would be harder to retire if his car was not competitive, and that he would head into 2026 thinking it would be his final year.

Alonso said in a television interview with the event’s official channel, external: “I love what I do. I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years [old], and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. So the moment I have to stop racing, it will be very hard decision and difficult to accept.

“The time will tell. I will feel it. At the moment, I don’t feel it is that time yet. I feel competitive, I feel motivated, I feel happy when I drive. So, yeah, hopefully not the last season.”

Alonso’s Aston Martin team headed into the year with high hopes – it was their first season as works engine partner with former world champions Honda, and design legend Adrian Newey had joined the team in March last year.

But they have had a dificult start, with a car and engine beset by a lack of performance and poor reliability.

Honda have taken the brunt of the criticism, after vibrations from their engine were causing failures and extreme discomfort for the drivers.

But it emerged during the first three races that more than half of the team’s performance deficit is accounted for by the chassis.

Newey has explained that the design process was curtailed by his late arrival and problems with their wind tunnel, which left them at least four months behind their rivals in research and development time.

However, he is confident the gap can be bridged on the chassis side during the season.

Honda are acknowledged across the sport as being in the worst position of all the engine manufacturers and are expected to be given permission to have extra development and upgrade possibilities (ADUO).

This is a facet of the rules governing the new 2026 power-units that are intended to allow manufacturers the chance to catch up if they are behind.

Aston Martin are unlikely to have a lot of options for a leading driver to replace Alonso for 2027.

He may be unwilling to end his illustrious career after such a poor season, and hope for an upturn for a potential swansong in 2027.