Fernando Alonso conceded he will have a dilemma over whether to retire at the end of the 2026 Formula One season if Aston Martin are not competitive.

The 44-year-old has won two F1 world titles, and is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of the 2026 campaign.

Alonso sees that as a perfect opportunity for him to bow out of top-level racing.

However, if Aston Martin fail to perform, then Alonso would be loath to go out on a low point.

"If things go well, I think it's a very good moment to stop because I've been chasing a competitive car and competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it's a very good way to close my career," Alonso said in an interview with Aston Martin's official media channels.

"Let's say that if we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop.

"If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again."

"Dig deep. That's the way that we drive ourselves forward."

Debriefing the first of the flyaways, Andy Cowell recapped the #AzerbaijanGP and rallied the team as we prepare to push on in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/jrifVh4UI6

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 23, 2025

Alonso signed for Aston Martin in 2023, and secured six podium finishes across his first eight races with the team.

However, Aston Martin have struggled this season, and sit seventh in the Constructors' Championship, while Alonso is 14th in the driver standings.

Alonso, though, is confident the team have plenty of potential.

"I'm pretty convinced about that," he added. "The only thing is when. That's probably my only question mark from this project.

"In my case, driving in the last couple of years of my career, obviously, I want to taste the success of the Aston Martin project.

"But I know that everything takes a little bit of time to glue all the pieces together.

"Aston Martin fighting for and winning the World Championship is more or less guaranteed in the future – we have everything needed to fight for a World Championship.

"Then, to execute the job and to win it, you need some external factors as well, you need a little help from your competitors, you need a little bit of luck."