Fernando Alonso suggests Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be his last

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has suggested that the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be his last at the venue, as it moves to a rotation schedule.

Feature image credit: Pirelli

The two-time world champion, Alonso, has admitted this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya could be his last in F1, as retirement talk rises in Spain ahead of the Barcelona race.

Alonso has been part of the sport for 23 seasons since his debut in 2001, at the Australian GP, becoming the most experienced F1 driver of all time with 431 race starts (currently) under his belt.

At 44 years old, retirement is a speculation that surrounds the Spaniard, and the two-time world champion has suggested he could be retiring soon marking this Barcelona race as his potential last. Speaking ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, Alonso said:

“It’s going to be a special weekend. This is probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1, so I want to say thanks to everyone.

“I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in Qualifying, in the race, hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend.

“It has always been a celebration when we come to Barcelona. I think this is my 23rd Grand Prix [at the venue] and all of them have been magical. This last has to be magical as well.”

Confirmed Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix FP1 rookies

Barcelona’s iconic venue, a favourable place for the sports pre-season tests, has been part of the F1 calendar since its inception at the 1991 F1 season. However, following the announcements earlier this year, the venue will take regular breaks from the schedule.

The Spanish circuit will be rotated around with Belgium’s historic Spa-Francorchamps, and will host races in 2028, 2030 and 2032, with the Belgium track taking up the gaps.

With the uncertainty of Alonso’s retirement, there is a potential the two-time world champion will be on the grid when it returns in 2028. However, he has confirmed he will decide to continue or not after the summer. He said:

“I don’t have anything in mind. After summer I will take the decision to continue or not.

“Barcelona obviously is not happening next year, so if I don’t know what I will do next year, it’s nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years’ time.

“I consider every race I go to this year potentially could be my last time – in Australia, my last time in China, my last time in Monaco. Here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance as it’s not happening next year.”

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: the full F1 schedule and times

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Pirelli confirm tyre compounds for Austrian and British Grand Prix
• McLaren, Audi & Williams make FP1 changes for Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
• Writer’s Verdict: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix
• Gasly ‘heartbroken’ after Monaco Grand Prix result
• Leclerc confirms rear-brake issue led to Monaco GP crash
• Engine problem cause for Verstappen Monaco GP retirement
• Perez penalty costs Cadillac first F1 point at Monaco GP

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from ApexMotorsports.co.uk!

Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.