What happened: Terms to remain in Formula 1 for 2027 also secured manufacturer backing for a Dakar return. The agreement was reached in August and surfaced during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia.

Why it matters: The Dakar entry extends a secured 2027 F1 seat alongside Lance Stroll into a second factory program. It revives a versatility push that previously included Indianapolis 500 starts and outright Le Mans victories. A Prodrive-prepared, Aston Martin-branded entry reconnects a partnership rooted in David Richards era.

What to watch: Watch for formal confirmation and technical detail on the re-bodied Sandrider project. Alonso flagged further surprises in the coming weeks.