Alonso says he’s “not sure” about his future in F1

Written by Bo Helmus

Alonso doesn’t seem to be able to get rid of his Honda curse | Credit: Formula One

Fernando Alonso is having a difficult time at Aston Martin. The project that once looked so promising seems to have shattered into pieces. The team is yet to score its first point this season, and that is just the least of their worries.

It all started like any other interview. Alonso was asked about the team’s performance, to which he answered: "We have a tough start to the season, but we are all embracing this challenge. We are together on this, Aston Martin and Honda. Hopefully, we can see some results and start having fun on the weekends."

Shortly after that, the two-time World Champion dropped a small bomb. His contract expires at the end of the year, and when he was asked if he’d renew it, he answered: “I’m not sure”.

Alonso returned to racing in 2021 after a three-year-long sabbatical | Credit: Formula One

Family man

Alonso became a father earlier in the season, just ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. He has had a month to live on cloud nine, and that has affected how he is looking at racing: "I have some thoughts, I cannot lie," he said. "It does change the way you see life, but I have to say it's going in the other direction.”

Rather than quitting, he wants his son to see his dad be a driver: "I want to race, and he sees me racing, but until he's aware of things, maybe it's a couple of years, and I don't want to race for four or five more years. I will like not to stop before he's in the paddock or sits in my car, these kind of things. Moments that you will remember all your life. It does change to be a father."

Alonso became a father just ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One

Other challenges

But for now, the Spaniard isn’t thinking too far ahead yet: “I'm open to everything. I think until probably after the summer break I will not really sit down with the team and make the decision. We need to see also how the car improves and how we see things into next year. I'm very relaxed.”

Even if Alonso quits F1, he will find a challenge elsewhere, like he’s done before: "I will continue racing, if it's not F1, I will do Dakar. I said many times it's a challenge that I want to take, winning endurance racing, F1 and rally. That will probably be unprecedented for any racing driver in the past, so it's something that is very appealing.”

We won’t get rid of F1’s oldest ‘rookie’ that easily: “I will keep active even if I stop F1. I'm also linked with this team, with this project. I want to succeed here, behind the wheel or not behind the wheel, you will see me in the paddock even if I stop racing."

Let's hope he does stay around. Alonso is one of F1's most loved personalities, and it would be a shame to lose him.