SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Veteran Fernando Alonso took his time before deciding that his Formula 1 career will continue next year.
The 45-year-old driver and his teammate Lance Stroll both extended their long-term contracts, Aston Martin said on Tuesday.
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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks through the paddock prior to the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Mechanics push car of Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Andrej Isakovic/Pool via AP)
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks through the paddock prior to the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
The two-time world champion said he was “very happy” about the contract extension despite his recent suggestion ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that racing in the World Endurance Championship series instead of F1 was an option.
“I took my time to make this decision, but racing is my life, my passion, and I know I still have the speed and determination to compete at the highest level,” Alonso said. “I’m committed for the long term with this team and to helping us succeed.”
Alonso was among the drivers who have been complaining of the 2026 cars’ reliance on electrical power and the compromises it forces drivers to make on the track. Max Verstappen earlier this year said he even considered leaving F1 if changes weren’t made. F1 said in June it would shift to more engine power and less electrical hybrid power beginning next year.
Aston Martin has been struggling with new regulations that take away some of the importance of the drivers’ input but Alonso said he trusted the team to move ahead.
“I truly believe in what we are building: we have strong leadership, incredible people, partners and facilities,” he said. “I look forward to making more memories on the racetrack in front of the passionate fans. Their energy creates an atmosphere that inspires me and is what makes our sport special.”
Alonso has only three points after 15 races this season, with his best finish ninth place in the Netherlands in August.
See AP’s full auto racing coverage here
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks through the paddock prior to the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Mechanics push car of Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Andrej Isakovic/Pool via AP)
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks through the paddock prior to the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 29, 2026--
An open spot in a fitness class or wellness appointment has a short shelf life. Every day across Austin, businesses carry the same staffing, instructor, and facility costs even as spaces go unused. Once a session begins, both the opening and its potential revenue disappear.
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Meanwhile, someone nearby might have booked it if the price were right, booking were simple, and it didn’t require another subscription.
Goer, launching today in Austin, was built to connect those two realities.
The app lets people book last-minute deals on fitness classes, wellness services, and gym day passes without a membership, subscription, or contract. Participating businesses decide what to offer, when to release it, and how much to charge. Listings become available within 48 hours of a session and can be added until two hours before it begins. Businesses can also lower the price as the start time approaches.
The model arrives as consumers increasingly seek affordability and flexibility. According to the Health & Fitness Association, 61% of non-customers surveyed across 10 countries identify cost as a major barrier to purchasing a membership, package, or class. Additionally, U.S. fitness facilities served nearly 96 million customers in 2024, although 77 million held memberships.
“We built fitness industry infrastructure around the business owners, and necessarily so at the time. Focusing on consumer needs and habits is the next great opportunity,” said Blake Beltram, Goer’s co-founder and CEO, who founded Mindbody, which was acquired in 2019 for $1.9 billion. “The supply is there in abundance, and there is pent-up demand. We’re connecting them in a win-win-win way that benefits everybody in the ecosystem.”
Founder and COO Ryan Clarke conceived Goer after spending eight months traveling the world and repeatedly struggling to find simple, short-term gym access. The former professional Australian rules footballer trained in nearly a hundred gyms across five continents.
“The biggest competitor for fitness and wellness businesses isn’t the business down the street,” Clarke said. “It’s the couch and the device and the screen. Goer’s job is to get more people off of those things and through the doors of Austin’s fitness and wellness businesses. When we achieve that, and we will, everyone wins.”
Goer is limiting its app marketplace to 100 ‘ Founding Partners ’ for now, with dozens of owners listing fitness and wellness inventory on launch day, and more coming onboard daily through October. In the spirit of community, Goer has also partnered with 20 local instructors, studio owners, and community leaders who hold equity in the company.
Goer’s pre-seed round was led by Mike Gianelli of Athlon.vc, with participation from Ben Kaplan of Relatable.
Goer is available now exclusively in Austin, on iOS and Android.
About Goer
Goer is a last-minute deals marketplace for unused spots in fitness and wellness businesses, with no subscription required. Goer connects fitness-seekers, travelers, and wellness junkies to business owners burdened with otherwise unused spots in gyms, fitness classes, and wellness centers.
Goer significantly reduces three common barriers to staying fit and active: cost, commitment, and complexity. Consumers can easily search for dropped-price deals on nearby drop-ins and day passes and pay only for what they book, while business owners control the price, timing, and number of spots they release on Goer.
Founder and COO Ryan Clarke started Goer after struggling to find simple, short-term gym access while traveling. A former professional Australian rules footballer, he played eight seasons in the AFL for the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne. Co-founder and CEO Blake Beltram founded Mindbody as a solopreneur; it later became the industry’s leading fitness management software platform and sold for $1.9 billion in 2019. Visit getgoer.com for more.
Goer shows Austin fitness classes with last-minute prices and available spots, all bookable without a subscription. (Image courtesy of Goer)
