As the sands of time slip through the hourglass, even the most enduring F1 legends must face the inevitable dawn of retirement.
- Fernando Alonso, nearing his 43rd birthday, is keenly aware that his final curtain call in Formula 1 is on the horizon.
- Having started his illustrious career with Minardi back in 2001, Alonso has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the world of racing.
- With his current contract with Aston Martin taking him to 45, Alonso contemplates life beyond the racetrack.
- Openly admitting to grappling with the idea of leaving F1, Alonso reflects on his journey and what lies ahead.
Fernando Alonso, a two-time World Champion, knows that the moment to say goodbye to Formula 1 is fast approaching. Now 42, Alonso, the oldest driver on the current grid, has seen an illustrious journey from his debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix with Minardi.
After leaving the sport at the end of 2018 following a challenging time with McLaren, Alonso returned to F1 in 2021 with Alpine and then moved to Aston Martin last season. His performances in 2023, including eight podium finishes, led to a contract extension with Aston Martin until 2026, by which time he will be 45.
Alonso acknowledges a complex relationship with Honda, who will join Aston Martin as their technical partner in 2026. Despite past tensions during his years at McLaren between 2015 and 2017, Alonso looks ahead to potential changes in the sport’s regulations.
Reflecting on his career, Alonso reveals his plan to adjust his approach to racing so it doesn’t overwhelm his personal happiness. He mentions that having his family attend more races could reduce some of the downsides of an F1 career.
Alonso’s sentiment resonates with current champion Max Verstappen’s earlier declarations about possibly retiring earlier than expected. Interestingly, Alonso recalled a similar feeling when he was the same age as Verstappen, assuming his final contract at McLaren in 2007 marked the end of his F1 career.
Despite his attempts to step away in 2018, Alonso found himself drawn back to the sport, proving that even when the decision to leave is made, the passion for racing lingers on.
In contemplating his eventual F1 exit, Alonso acknowledges the hard truth that even legends must eventually step down.
