One of Formula 1's most storied careers will add another chapter in 2027, with Fernando Alonso committing to a record-extending 24th season in the sport.
The Aston Martin man has spent much of this season and the summer break stringing fans along as he decided whether to continue into next year's campaign.
Alonso has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the hybrid engines introduced this year, which had prompted fears that he could call it a day after the final race, with fuel added to the fire after every race weekend as Aston Martin have toiled and failed to adapt to the new regulations.
The 45-year-old's love for racing has pulled him back in for at least one more though.
Two-time F1 world champion Alonso is regarded as one of the greatest racers of all time, restricted to only two titles by misfortune and his ability to seemingly move to the wrong team at the wrong time.
It is a belief he clearly holds himself.
I still feel self-confidence that I have something extra ... I still feel as fast as anybody. So let's have another go.
Alonso speaking to BBC Sport following his contract renewal
There are occasional flashes of the Spaniard's brilliance despite being at the wheel of the worst car on the grid -- think back to a ninth-placed finish at the Dutch Grand Prix where he held off the surging Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Racing Bulls' Yuki Tsunoda in the dying embers of the race.
With Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Alonso has been one of the loudest critics of the 2026 rules, calling this season the "battery world championship" and holding the opinion that fast corners are now used for recharging said battery.
So what is that has led him to continue racing in these cars that he is so opposed to?
Upcoming changes to the regulations that will change the power ratio from a 50-50 split to 60% internal combustion and 40% battery have brought optimism that the state of play may change on track.
As has commitment from the FIA and F1 to listen to the drivers and make changes.
It was acknowledged that Adrian Newey didn't have as much time working on this year's Aston Martin as the team would've liked, and with a full off-season to work his magic in the factory in Northamptonshire, there is every chance next year's chassis can be competitive.
This was proved by the upgrades in Hungary that shaved two seconds or so off the lap times.
It is therefore over to Honda to provide a competitive power unit for one of Formula 1's greatest as he looks to be competitive once again.
In typical Fernando Alonso fashion too, he has dropped another hint by refusing to be drawn into saying that 2027 would be his final season.
