Fernando Alonso commits his future to Aston Martin by signing new two-year deal with British team... as double world champ snubs interest from F1 rivals including Red Bull

Fernando Alonso is set to announce that he has signed a new two-year deal to stay Aston Martin, Mail Sport can reveal.

The 42-year-old double world champion will also take on an ambassadorial role beyond that.

He courted – or was courted by – other teams, including Red Bull, who considered him as a replacement for Max Verstappen should their star man have looked to jump ship in light of the scandal in which the team has been embroiled for the last two months.

It is understood that a statement confirming that Alonso will stay is due in the next hour or so and that Alonso will conduct media interviews late this afternoon to discuss his continued involvement with the Silverstone-based team.

Alonso is recognised as one of the supreme drivers of his generation, of any generation, but his participation in Formula One beyond his 44th birthday will take him to an age no contemporary driver has accomplished.

Michael Schumacher, whom Alonso beat to the title in 2004 and 2005, retired from Ferrari at 37. He returned at Mercedes but finally left aged 43.

The Spaniard’s continuation will allow him to compete for Aston Martin under the new regulations to be introduced in 2026.

Aston will then be powered by Honda engines.