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…