Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Circuit de Catalunya, 2019

Alonso intends to stay prepared for possible F1 return

2019 F1 season

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Fernando Alonso says competing in selected races and testing for McLaren will help him stay sharp in case he decides to return to Formula 1.

Alonso, who has three World Endurance Championships rounds plus the Indianapolis 500 on his schedule for 2019, said he expects to keep racing for a few more years.

“Probably I am stronger than ever now at 37 physically, mentally and the background that you have also in different categories and different driving styles,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans today.

“So I feel very good now, very competitive in any car I jump in. I will keep going for a couple of years and select what races can make an impact on my career and an impact on everything and race those.

“If one day Formula 1 again arrives in the moment that I can be competitive and I can eventually be winning I cannot be relaxed at home at that moment. I need to keep updated, the way to keep me updated to the moment is just to be involved somehow.”

Alonso said he is still racing at his best and it wouldn’t make sense for him to stay at home.

“I feel probably in the peak of my career,” he said. “So probably being at home is a waste of time and possibilities for everyone.

“First for me because I’m doing different iconic races [and] now because I feel the best moment of my driving career. So I hope to win as many races as I can, and I keep also involved in the F1 life in case.”

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19 comments on “Alonso intends to stay prepared for possible F1 return”

  1. To me he seems eager to come back, hence the involvement… I think that he was just too fed up with the state of affairs at McLaren the past few years and needed to distance himself a bit to get his mojo back. If this year the McLaren proves to be a better car and manages to finish best of the rest, or even maybe sniff some podiums, I wonder how long will it take for him to actually sit in the car and race it.

  2. No surprises here

  3. This is wrong. He only create unnecessary tension on a team that still had to pour a lot of mind and resources to improved.

    1. McLaren could easily show him the door, but instead they make him an Ambassador and announce he’ll do a few select test throughout the year. If his presence caused ‘tension’, surely they’d encourage him to stay away or keep focussed on LMS and Indy instead…

      1. The taem boss likes him. Doesn’t mean that the rest of the team all feel the same

      2. Alonso is good for the media attention, so works very good for the businesses, that is the real reason that Mclaren keep him on the spotlight.

    2. 2 x WDC & arguably one of the best drivers in the world & is good for publicity. His knowledge is second to none. Why would you want to give that up..

      1. btw how do you know he creates unnecessary tension in the team? Do you work for them or is because you heard it on sky f1 last test…

    3. Only tense if you are one of the mediocre drivers they currently have. I honestly had to look up who they have now as drivers. Why wouldn’t everyone else in the team want Alonso back if the car turns out to be decent?

  4. Read this as “Alonso reckons for the first time in ages, the McLaren might be alright”

      1. Google+ is no more…

  5. I think this is great. I’m glad FA is still present. I hope to see him back in F1. But will it be with Mac? Is that a given? I just don’t see Mac making inroads with Renault, at least not until the shakeup for 2021 and it’s potential resetting of the order of things. Or perhaps Mac will have more of works thing going on with someone else? The teams should be closer to each other for 2021, and the cars able to follow much more closely and sustainably on track, but to me it will still require that one be a works factory team as long as they keep using these complex pus, in order to have real success. Then again, I’m sure FA would love to have a season like Max had with a car that, while being a customer to Renault, still managed wins even if it was never going to win the Championships.

  6. Alonso-Hamilton reunion at Merc!

    1. Let’s first see if Merc still has the same performance advantage as last year, or it would be the same story again – Alonso joins a top team that suddenly fails to deliver. I’d prefer to see Alonso at Ferrari, but let’s see how the McLaren develops.

  7. Lets go Nando! If he gets a sniff the seat warmers will be removed..

  8. Love to see him back!!!!!

  9. These constant will he? Won’t he? Is embarassing to the sport and the sites.

    He’s not the only talented driver in f1.

    If I had a buddy who acted like mclaren is now, I’d friendly remind him to “GET OVER HER!, you’re making a fool of yourself…”

    Honestly it’s cringe worthy. Alonso just isn’t that into you mclaren. Granted with the two seat warmers they currently employ, Alonso’s maybes might be worth more.

  10. “If one day Formula 1 again arrives in the moment that I can be competitive and I can eventually be winning I cannot be relaxed at home at that moment. I need to keep updated, the way to keep me updated to the moment is just to be involved somehow.”
    Translation: If the MCL-34 ends up being a real contender at some point this season, let’s kick an underperforming young Lando to the curb, make him the #2 test driver, and I will jump in the seat and continue to build my legendary reputation alongside my fellow Spaniard!

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