Fernando Alonso Will Ditch F1 At The End Of 2018
In sad but not entirely unexpected news, Fernando Alonso has announced that he will not be competing in F1 next year. He hasn’t entirely ruled out a return, but a full time comeback to the top flight of single-seater racing seems unlikely.
In a statement, the 37-year-old said:
“After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport, it’s time for me to make a change and move on. I have enjoyed every single minute of those incredible seasons and I cannot thank enough the people who have contributed to make them all so special.
“There are still several grands prix to go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever. Let’s see what the future brings; new exciting challenges are around the corner. I’m having one of the happiest times ever in my life but I need to go on exploring new adventures.
“I want to thank everyone at McLaren. My heart is with the team forever. I know they will come back stronger and better in the future and it could be the right moment for me to be back in the series; that would make me really happy.I have built so many great relationships with many fantastic people at McLaren, and they have given me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and race in other categories. I feel I am a more complete driver now than ever.
“I made this decision some months ago and it was a firm one. Nevertheless, I would like to sincerely thank Chase Carey and Liberty Media for the efforts made to change my mind and everyone who has contacted me during this time. Finally, I would also like to thank my former teams, teammates, competitors, colleagues, partners, journalists and everyone I have worked with in my F1 career. And, especially, my fans all over the world. I am quite sure our paths will cross again in the future.”
Widely regarded as one of the best drivers in the sport right now - and by some to be the best driver on the grid - Alonso will depart the sport a double world champion with 32 wins to his name. But there will always be questions of what might have been, had Alonso made some different career moves.
His two championships came relatively early on in his career with Renault, before switching to McLaren for a single year, ending his contract early when his relationship with teammate Hamilton and the rest of the outfit deteriorated. He returned to spend two more seasons with a much less competitive Renault, then had a five-season stint at Ferrari which still didn’t yield the third title Alonso had been targeting, although he did come agonisingly close in 2012.
The Spaniard rejoined McLaren in 2015, banking on Woking’s partnership with Honda as an engine supplier propelling the team to success. We all know how that turned out, and as a result of this doomed venture and McLaren still failing to find form after changing engine suppliers, Alonso has spent what will most likely end up being the last years of his F1 career fighting in the midfield. And that seems like a shame.
As for what Alonso does next, he’s not saying just yet. A full time IndyCar move seems likely - he may not be in a position to add to his tally of F1 titles, but that Triple Crown (Monaco, Le Mans and the Indy 500, for the uninitiated) is still very much doable…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Mind doing this post again?
Yay, so Alonso can go Rallycrossing now?
If he goes rallying, Kimi approves
He’s more likely to go to Indycar to attack the Triple Crown.
Mclaren needs to make a road car honouring him now…. The Mclaren Alonso …..
I think the McLaren Nando suits better, its gonna have Alonso on a beachchair stitched onto the head paddings, an actual GP2 engine in the middle and mini rocketships at the very back
I want one
If they do not make this, I’m done with Earth
Well guess he can now rest in his arm chair for as long as he wants………
Unless he pulls a Felipe Massa
It would not come as a surprise if he goes to Indy or NASCAR for a change of pace
It would be very interesting if he did some nascar races especially with s good team to show that nascar is more difficult then ppl give it credit for
He wants the triple crown so he will most probably go to indy
Well, McLaren will probably win races next year based on what happens every time Alonso leaves a team.
R.I.P. hilarious team radio…
Lucky I got picture with him at Hungaroring this year
Such a shame to see a big part of the F1 scene go. It was eventually going to happen, but i didn’t expect it this soon.
We’ll let you go Fernando, but please make a come back some time soon..