The silly season of the driver market seems to heat up in this hot August break for Formula 1. In this case, it is more about renewals than shocking transfers: on one side, Max Verstappen is negotiating new terms to stay at Red Bull even beyond the 2028 deadline, on the other Fernando Alonso continues to be another hot name in the spotlight.
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There have been many rumors involving the Asturian driver in recent weeks, especially due to Aston Martin’s technical disaster in the first part of 2026. There has been talk of a sensational possible return to Alpine (which would be the fourth time at Enstone), but also of a new renewal with Aston Martin thanks to the right path the Silverstone team seems to have taken with the updates brought to Hungary.
Alonso’s crazy demand
The technical guarantees of being at least in the fight for the Top-10 in 2027 (also relying on a good step forward from the Honda engine) do not seem to be enough to convince Alonso to continue at Aston Martin.
According to Marc Limacher, an authoritative source and author of the Business Book GP yearbook that covers the commercial aspects of Formula 1 – including drivers’ salaries – Alonso would have asked Lawrence Stroll for 40 million euros per season to extend his contract for another two years. A striking scenario considering that, if it materializes, the two-time world champion Spaniard could retire from F1 at the venerable age of 47 at the end of 2028.
Regarding the negotiation, the Spanish newspaper Marca added that the agreement would even be in the final stages, with a possible announcement even upon returning from the summer break in Zandvoort (August 21-23).
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Sustainable investment
Alonso’s demand is undoubtedly significant for Aston Martin, but not impossible to sustain: the attention his image generates and the marketing benefits that derive from it, as well as the appeal for sponsors, would more than justify Alonso’s salary in terms of pure business.
Even Formula 1 itself and Stefano Domenicali would be happy to see Alonso still on track for another two years, given the impact he has on fan engagement both at circuits and on various digital platforms.
If the requested figures are accurate, the two-time world champion would become the third highest-paid driver on the grid, behind Verstappen (70 million) and Hamilton (60 million) and tied with Leclerc.
