Alonso 'fresh and ready' for 2021 F1 return
- Published on 30 Jan 2020 10:06
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso affirms he is "fresh and ready" for a return to the sport in 2021.
Alonso departed the grid at the end of the 2018 season, and has since finished his duties in the World Endurance Championship, attempted a second entry at the Indianapolis 500 (for which he failed to qualify) and competed at the 2020 Dakar Rally.
The former Renault, Ferrari and McLaren driver never denied that he would return to F1 in the future.
"I have not finished with F1," he told F1 Racing. "2021 is a good opportunity and I feel fresh and ready now. It's something I'm going to try."
Alonso not too old for F1 comeback
Should he return to F1 in 2021, he will be 39 years of age - does he think that is too old for a comeback?
"I don't think so. Now, without fuel stops, the races are not so demanding," Alonso said.
"You drive seven or eight seconds slower on a Sunday than on a Saturday. The new 18-inch wheels will also change the way you drive and everyone will be learning that.
MORE: Alonso: No one trying to exploit Hamilton's weak points | Alonso no longer holding ambassador role at McLaren
"F1 is unfinished business because people think I deserved more, especially in recent years. In my museum, there are many trophies, but none from F1 very recently and that seems a bit strange."
'Difficult to choose' team for 2021
2021 will see a major overhaul in the technical regulations, with the design of the car undergoing a significant change.
Because of this, Alonso admits that it will be more difficult to choose a team for 2021 if he decides to go ahead with his plan of returning.
"The only problem with the new rules is that some teams might interpret them differently than others," he said. "You could join a team that is winning now, but if they make a mistake with the rules, will people say I made a bad decision again?"
Alonso declared that he was involved in "many meetings" with Red Bull and even spoke about the lure of Mercedes, who has won every drivers' and constructors' championship since 2014.
"They have been dominating for many years and have a strong team," said Alonso. "We will see how they are doing.
"If I come back I will be ready to return stronger, and if I am in the right place, I will win. I have so much confidence in myself that I should win if everything goes well. Driving is the only thing in life that I know I can do well."
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Replies (11)
Login to replyxoya
Posts: 583
I don't think he should come back.
Leave it as is and leave us all wondering what might have been...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
If he had left on a high I think that might be the case, but after such rough years in a bad car... It doesn't seem like there is much to lose
Bilstar
Posts: 54
Well this is GUARANTEED to go well isn't it? I'm not aware of any prior examples of this that have gone very disappointingly badly. Not at all. Nope. Might as well etch his name on the trophy now. *cough*
Mind you, I can't say I'm not interested in watching him. Awesome driver.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Definitely no guarantee, but we do have precedent, Prost 1993?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
That's nice, but with what team? You only want a top team seat, but no such seat is vacant...
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
I think, time has come for Alonso to choose between money and fame. If he takes a huge pay cut, he is an automatic choice for seats occupied by Bottas, Vettel, and Albon isn't it?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Far from it, for better or worse. Ferrari are, as far as I know, still wary of the prospect of Alonso. They love his prowess and presence, and hatelove his drama, but didn't like the manner he left them in, and they still, allegedly, have faith in Vettel. Mercedes, too, are wary of the prospect of uniting Hammy and Alonso, two drivers who really don't fancy one another. They already had their hands full with Ham vs Ros, imagine Ham vs Alo! And Hammy would likely attempt to block the move. That leaves RBH, and while I think they'd fancy having him on board, he is a non-RB driver, and that would leave their jr programme mute, which Marko wouldn't approve of. And they have other options, like Sainz or Ricciardo, who might be interested in coming back given time. At any rate, money ain't an issue for these teams, so I don't think him coming in with a sales sticker slammed on his bossom would be an insta-seat.
Sadtomato
Posts: 48
I'd say his only option is buying a seat at Williams. If you can pony up the redies they ain't too fussy!
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Perhaps he might go down as a lesson for the future generations on, how talent alone doesn't win cups.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
There is zero hope of ALO retuning to a top seat next year, its not going to happen. 2022 might be different but by then he will be what, 40? - It doesn't make sense commercially to go for that option, its just not a winning strategy. Id like to see him back in F1 no doubt - but I think his time has come and gone - maybe management?
Sadtomato
Posts: 48
Alonso is eternally optimistic if nothing else. I would say that the game has changed and the teams are looking at younger drivers. Alonso probably believes that he is better than the present generation of younger drivers and that this will get him a drive, I doubt if any team managers will be thinking the same way. Also the teams that have one star driver probably dont want a second one to upset their prima donna.