Alonso rules out retirement call at Madrid but targets rare Aston Martin result: 'There are opportunities'

But looking ahead to the race in Madrid, Alonso believes the AMR26 can have a better outing given the inherent chassis-dependent layout of the track.

The 45-year-old two-time F1 champion is weighing up his future over whether to extend his career into a record-breaking 24th season in 2027, or to call it quits at the end of what has been a disappointing campaign with Aston Martin.

Drivers usually announce big news such as their impending retirement at their home grand prix, with Alonso set to take part in his 23rd Spanish GP this weekend. When asked after the Italian GP if there were any announcements planned, Alonso had a simple response.

The Aston Martin driver has insisted that a decision will be made in the context of what the team is capable of achieving in 2027. "To be honest, we are at the back of the grid, so I'm not too stressed about this year," Alonso concluded. "If an opportunity comes to score one more point, OK. If it doesn't, OK as well."

Alonso has just three points to his name after 13 races, his lowest yield after that number of races since he went pointless in his 2001 debut season with Minardi.

The Italian GP was yet another difficult outing, as he retired from the race on Lap 23 after picking up damage on his car in the run out of the second of the Lesmos.

The Honda engine at Monza was also only able to deliver 319 km/h as its top speed, something that prompted Alonso to strip the circuit of its 'Temple of Speed' moniker under the 2026 regulations.

Looking at the remaining circuits on the calendar, the Spaniard weighed the team's chances. "I think Vegas is going to be another one of that type of weaknesses that we expose in these long straights, maybe back up," he said. "But there's going to be some other weekends where we can have more fun, maybe in Singapore or Austin or something like that."

Looking ahead to the new track, Alonso felt there might be opportunities for the team in what is set to be a non-power-dominated circuit.

"Looking forward, I think from the remaining races, we know that there are weekends that we will struggle and weekends that will be better," he explained. "Maybe the next one is one of the opportunities."

Team principal Mike Krack expects Madring's mixed layout to expose Aston Martin's power deficit less severely than Monza. Krack says the team's simulations suggest it should be more competitive at the new venue.

The circuit has two straights, but also contains tighter sections where drivability and tyre management should count for more than terminal speed.

Honda agrees that the layout ought to suit the package better, with its second power-unit specification having improved drivability even though the outright performance deficit remains.

The FIA has restricted active aero usage to just two Straight Mode zones for Formula 1's debut at Madring, further reducing the emphasis on raw top speed.

Aside from a high-speed sweep through Turn 4 that reportedly approaches 340 km/h, most of the circuit rewards mechanical grip and low-speed traction over outright top speed.

Madrid will be Alonso's first appearance at a Spanish street circuit since his incredible triumph at Valencia all the way back in 2012. For now, his mindset remains pragmatic.

"To be honest, we are at the back of the grid, so I'm not too stressed about this year. If an opportunity comes to score one more point, OK. If it doesn't, OK as well. It will not change our mentality, our determination to have a better 2027."