# The surprise plan to keep Alonso in F1

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-12 11:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is pushing for engine rule changes to ensure Fernando Alonso can retire from Formula 1 on his own terms.

## Intelligence Brief
A surprising movement is underway within Formula 1 leadership to ensure Fernando Alonso remains in the sport. According to reporting from ESPN, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is actively pushing for changes to the engine rules specifically to keep Alonso on the grid. Ben Sulayem has stated that the driver needs to be able to leave the sport when he wants, suggesting that the current environment is not conducive to a proper exit for the veteran driver. This effort is framed as a strategic move to prevent a situation where a driver of Alonso's stature is forced out by technical limitations rather than personal choice. Coverage from multiple outlets, including PlanetF1, the BBC, and The Race, emphasizes the urgency of this situation. PlanetF1 reports that Ben Sulayem has delivered a direct message to Alonso, asserting that the current state of affairs is not acceptable.


The BBC adds a critical layer to this narrative, reporting that Alonso cannot be allowed to leave Formula 1 while he is in an uncompetitive position. The Race has characterized the overall strategy as a surprise plan designed to extend Alonso's tenure, highlighting a rare instance where the governing body is focusing on rule adjustments to retain a specific individual talent. Context provided by RACER - Racing News indicates that Alonso himself is currently content to keep his future plans on hold. This patience coincides with the ongoing deliberations regarding the aforementioned rule changes. The underlying tension stems from the desire to avoid a scenario where one of the sport's most prominent figures retires due to a lack of competitive machinery. By adjusting engine regulations, the FIA aims to level the playing field or create a technical pathway that allows Alonso to remain viable in the championship standings, thereby ensuring his departure happens on his own timeline.


Looking ahead, the primary focus remains on whether the FIA can successfully implement these engine rule changes. The coverage indicates that the timeline for Alonso's retirement is currently dependent on these regulatory shifts. Stakeholders will be watching to see if the proposed changes are adopted and how they will affect the competitiveness of the grid. Until these rule changes are finalized, Alonso's professional future remains undecided as he awaits a competitive environment that aligns with Ben Sulayem's vision for the driver's exit from the sport.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| PlanetF1 | Mohammed Ben Sulayem has a message for Fernando Alonso: 'It's not acceptable' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxQT2VwOGZFRlBRRnY5T3A3N2g1eHhOUUl3NVlkeVRmX1djMkYwMDBsNW9ISy1fSURGYkdYel93akJ2akVpVWFsUlE3c0lqMmtpcGpwaUxydDdQMGtHaHB5QlZSUmxoRVdpLTEzaXhXUUlyRk9aM09LNzFYdE1NcWRnVDdjMldZaVpFTkRfdE9CaFo3b2JlOU8wcE9n?oc=5) |
| RACER - Racing News | Alonso content to keep future plans on hold as F1 ponders rule changes | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxPejIyM0pDdnhHNlIzeHB5MURra1FSNS1OdzhicF9TVXViODhVdXlLOWZBZFQteHVjNmNDMHpqYS1uem5yUjI4UjNfTXNoMVdxRkZEamZxRVVOSzFINmJPTklDcG9QVVZRNlZVLXpwNnprX3NzOFc3eGFKcll0NUpjd21UZ0VZcS1kem9SZ0xnV200eUtrRUtkQk5oNG9iNHZO?oc=5) |
| ESPN | FIA boss pushing for engine rule changes to keep Fernando Alonso in F1: 'Needs to leave when he wants' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi8AFBVV95cUxNSUk4eFFFSDh2dzBJMG9MZ3ZrS2d3QWZydU9aci1OV0gtZ1QwRnFJbWcwOGc1Mlh0UmM1MGZDRTROU2RGamlicE05YnR6UHd4SHJGdjhaMEdHczFMYnBPRl9PcUxMbHJ0WDJ5OUFuNW1aLUNrYjk0QldRNmwyZzFKaVdLYlQxOU5vbXpFMzNXREZqVGF2ZEFYNXEtOEp3MTk5Y3hFajVKUFhMWHNPUmFvdV9OQ2I0WEdOVUZZLU9hWXA1RUtDMUFReV9ZVEZ0Ukl2ZlJJMEJweGlnRjdXS1lyX0lQZXBvUmEyM3ZITG1tSkY?oc=5) |
| BBC | Alonso cannot leave F1 while uncompetitive - FIA boss | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZ0FVX3lxTFB6V2NieDFCaGZrZmRyN0JzRXlwOEh4eTN3ZEtLMzhYbnpITm1WWDViZ2o1cHlOSHFJNDZ2WTZRUmR1UloxaHREYnktMzBLdHZtRnhlZnVGQW1xZ2lnQlJrNkcxN3BtU2c?oc=5) |
| The Race | The surprise plan to keep Alonso in F1 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxPUS13V2NkY3Z4cGdXYzFUa0pzYnAyZVdtSnNFRmdGTmt3OUlOeFZJZXAzSXlHS1MzT3dJQTljUzJsZE1sVVVQODUwZmMySDQ4SW5GVktuSWthVWpyTWhFdk9keEpFTlZpc1hlb1JSdmpXd0dxOFI4UEV1T19SR3JZU0RZLV9UUmgxWUlJ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-12/the-surprise-plan-to-keep-alonso-in-f1*