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Alonso will miss 'very special' F1 cars

Published on 17 Jan 2019 12:05
5
By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso admits that the thrill of driving a Formula 1 car is what he will miss most from the sport. The Spaniard will not compete in the 2019 season, having spent 18 years in the sport.

The double-world champion will continue to race, competing in the World Endurance Championship and taking part in the 2019 Indianapolis 500 with McLaren. Alonso has grown frustrated over the last number of years, as he has not received a car capable of winning races and obtaining podiums.

When asked what he will miss most about F1, Alonso replied: “I think driving the cars. The cars are something special. It doesn’t matter if you’re fourteenth, fifth or fighting for victory.

"Obviously if you can be on the podium and win, definitely it’s an extra celebration and joy – but when you go out of there for qualifying, or even tomorrow for free practice, and you're driving these cars, they are very special. The amount of technology behind these cars would be difficult to replicate in any other series.”

However, Alonso also admitted that there are certain aspects that he will be thankful to see the back of, such as escaping the tight schedule that takes away opportunities to spend time with friends and family.

"On the other side there are negative aspects of Formula 1, especially if you are 18 years here," the former Renault and Ferrari driver stated. "You dedicate your entire life to Formula 1.

“You have no friends, no family, no free time, no privacy, no wife, no kids, no nothing. It’s just full dedication if you want to succeed. So, I think, I have other priorities right now.

“Racing in other disciplines, other series, you realise that Formula 1 is a step higher and it’s just trying to find perfection in everything, every weekend, every two weeks, all around the world. This was probably the best memories I will get from here.”

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332

As long as one of the top 5 drivers work for Ferrari, they might benefit more by not hiring Alonso, unless he learned a thing or two about perseverance during his tenure at Mclaren.

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Jan 17 2019 - 18:00

F1 News Fernando Alonso Paddy Driver Ferrari McLaren Renault Life Racing Engines

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
In short *harkles* Alonso to Ferrari:
Oooooh
Want you back
want you back
want you ba-ck
for goo-d
- + 0
- Jan 17 2019 - 16:44
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  As long as one of the top 5 drivers work for Ferrari, they might benefit more by not hiring Alonso, unless he learned a thing or two about perseverance during his tenure at Mclaren.
  + 1
  
  Jan 17 2019 - 18:00
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Methinks thats the case too. Just sayin' Alonso would probably not mind returning. :)
  + 0
  
  Jan 17 2019 - 18:06
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I think that love him or hate him, Alonso made F1 more interesting and fun to watch. He on track performance is obvious, but also so much intrigue, drama, trolling, and straight up funny stuff he created off-track. I will really miss him this year. I keep hoping he comes back.
  + 0
  
  Jan 17 2019 - 18:55
xoya

Posts: 583
I'd love to see him come back, win and leave. Prost style.
As much as I hate this sentence given it's abuse, or rather - overuse, Alonso is certainly a driver who has unfinished business in Formula1.
On the other hand, no ammount of titles could make up for all those lost years. If he had more luck during his career, we would be talking about the greatest driver ever.
- + 0
- Jan 18 2019 - 08:32