Fernando Alonso has tempered expectations for Aston Martin's progress, admitting that race wins and title contention are unlikely before 2026.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, now entering his 22nd Formula 1 season, remains fiercely competitive despite acknowledging the toll of age.
"Even now, after more than 20 years, if I go to a karting track and I look at the times and I'm half a tenth behind the fastest one, I still have the same inner rage - the same frustration, the same anger," he told DAZN in a special interview.
"I might not even eat dinner that night."
To stay at the top of his game, Alonso says he has adapted his approach to health and fitness.
"You can't eat the same foods at 40 as you did at 20," the two-time champion explained. "You don't have the same muscle mass at 40 than you do when you're 20. So for my diet, I do a little more research with nutritionists, following a bit of the vegetarian way. But I still feel very strong."
However, Alonso admitted that he ended the 2024 season in less-than-ideal physical condition.
"I had an intestinal infection, fever, antibiotics, and after recovering internally, I was beaten up in Brazil in the muscles of the back, in the bones of the collarbone and shoulder from the jumping of the car," he revealed.
While Aston Martin will soon welcome renowned aerodynamicist Adrian Newey to the team, Alonso says his impact on performance won't be felt until the 2026 regulations take effect.
"Certainly not in 2025," Alonso stated when asked about race-winning potential.
"The cars will be the same as last year and it will be practically impossible for us to make such a big jump.
Hopefully it will be better than in 2024, but we will not win the championship. There are changes coming in the regulations, and Adrian Newey will start working on the 2026 project from April."
Alonso compared his current situation to his humble karting beginnings, where he often raced with less-than-ideal equipment.
"We didn't have the money for rain tyres, so I raced on dry tyres even when it rained," he recalled. "This carries over to this day.
"We have the budget for tyres, but we don't have Ferrari's wings or McLaren's underbody. The story of my life is a bit about competing with weapons that are a bit inferior to the others and adapting."
Looking ahead, Alonso suggests his future in F1 beyond 2026 depends largely on the performance of the first Newey-designed Aston Martin.
"Hopefully I can enjoy more podiums, some victories, and fight for the championship," Alonso said. "But I know that 2026 is a year that is a mystery to everyone.
"Hopefully it will fall in our favour. But we just don't know."
