Fernando Alonso’s Future in Doubt as Aston Martin Faces 2025 Struggles and Verstappen Rumors Swirl

The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a nightmare for Aston Martin, with Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, enduring a point-less campaign that has sparked intense scrutiny and speculation about his future. While teammate Lance Stroll has single-handedly scored all 14 of Aston Martin’s points, keeping the team afloat in seventh place, Alonso’s string of mishaps—most notably a spin in Miami—has raised questions about his confidence and the team’s competitiveness. As Aston Martin shifts focus to the 2026 regulations with Adrian Newey’s arrival and a new Honda engine partnership, rumors of replacing Alonso with Max Verstappen have ignited the F1 paddock. With Red Bull’s internal turmoil and Christian Horner’s potential exit fueling Verstappen’s uncertain future, could Aston Martin sideline Alonso to chase a championship with the four-time champion?

Alonso’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to his 2023 heroics, when he secured eight podiums and carried Aston Martin to the forefront. This year, the AMR25’s lack of pace has left Alonso languishing in 17th, joining an unenviable group of drivers yet to score, including Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan. His Miami spin and a crash in the Sprint race after contact with Lawson exposed the team’s struggles, compounded by poor strategic calls, like ignoring Alonso’s plea for dry tires. Posts on X reflect growing fan frustration, with some accusing Aston Martin of favoring Stroll, whose father, Lawrence, owns the team. Stroll’s P6 in Australia and P9 in China, while modest, have outshone Alonso’s results, intensifying speculation that the Spaniard’s seat is at risk. Alonso himself has acknowledged the “harsh reality” of Aston Martin’s midfield woes, admitting in Jeddah, “P11 is the worst position… we need to get used to it.”

The Verstappen rumors add fuel to the fire. Red Bull’s 2025 struggles, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominating, have raised doubts about Verstappen’s long-term commitment, despite his contract running until 2028. The departure of design guru Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and whispers of Horner’s exit have fueled speculation that Verstappen could jump ship. Aston Martin, with its new wind tunnel, Honda engines, and Newey’s expertise, is positioning itself as a 2026 contender, making it an attractive destination. Posts on X claim Aston Martin is already pitching Verstappen to sponsors, with pundit Juan Pablo Montoya suggesting the team is preparing a lucrative deal. However, Alonso, contracted through 2026, remains diplomatic, saying Verstappen rumors are “good for the team” but denying his seat is at risk.

Alonso’s comments on retirement add intrigue. He’s vowed to race as long as he feels competitive, but his current form and the AMR25’s limitations have led to speculation he might transition to an ambassadorial role. “My contract is longer than my racing career,” he said, hinting at a future off the track while emphasizing his commitment to Aston Martin’s championship goal. Team principal Andy Cowell has confirmed the team is sacrificing 2025 to test technologies for 2026, a strategy that could marginalize Alonso if he can’t deliver results. With Stroll’s seat secure due to his father’s ownership, Alonso faces pressure to prove his worth. As Mercedes commits to its lineup and Verstappen weighs his options, Aston Martin’s next moves could reshape F1’s driver market. Will Alonso fight back, or is his storied career nearing its end?