MELBOURNE, Australia — Fernando Alonso plans to stay in Components One for one more “two or three years”, that means he’s trying to signal a brand new contract this summer season earlier than his present one expires on the finish of the 2022 season.

Alonso, who made his F1 debut in 2001, returned to the game with Alpine final yr after two seasons out of F1 in 2019 and 2020.

The 40-year-old’s two-year cope with Alpine is ready to run out on the finish of this season, however he plans to stay in F1 past that — both with Alpine or one other group.

“I’ll race, I assume, a pair extra years, two or three extra years,” Alonso mentioned. “Whether it is with Alpine it is going to be good, whether it is with one other group it is going to be good as nicely, however I’ll discover out and I’ll begin these discussions in all probability in summer season. Let’s have a look at.”

Alonso’s feedback got here in response to a query about his presence at Alpine holding up the promotion of reigning Components 2 champion Oscar Piastri, who’s a junior driver for the group.

However Alonso mentioned choices on race drivers in F1 ought to all the time be linked to efficiency and he believes he’s nonetheless acting on a degree worthy of conserving his place on the group.

“I believe clearly if I used to be 25 there is not going to be this speak, it is an age factor, that individuals attempt to discover a method for the younger skills, however I believe that is about efficiency,” he mentioned. “Final yr I believe I did nicely, I completed barely in entrance of Esteban [Ocon], let’s have a look at this yr how the battle goes.

“However that is about efficiency not about age, and I’ll as I mentioned, in the beginning of the yr, I nonetheless really feel aggressive and quick and really feel I’m having fun with time in Components One.”