Fernando Alonso to retire from F1 at end of current season

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso announced Tuesday that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season after his recent struggles with underachieving McLaren.

The 37-year-old Spaniard – who has 32 Grand Prix wins to his credit in 17 seasons – has become increasingly disenchanted with F1 as the once allpowerful McLaren team have fallen way off the pace.

Alonso – who in 2005 became the youngestever F1 world champion while driving for Renault before defending his title the following year – has garnered 44 points this season and is ninth in the drivers’ championship.

Alonso went on to drive for McLaren for a year in 2007 followed by a return to Renault and then four years at Ferrari, before beginning his second spell with McLaren in 2015.

“I have seen you [F1] changing, sometimes for good; others, in my opinion, for bad,” said Alonso, who on three occasions finished runner-up in the drivers’ championship while at Ferrari.

“And this year, while still driving at my best, is how I want to remember you.”

Alonso, whose best finish for McLaren so far was 10th in 2016, said he would carry on endeavoring to finish with a flourish.

“After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport, it’s time for me to make a change and move on,” said Alonso in a statement.

“There are still several Grands Prix to go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever.”

He left the door slightly ajar, saying in a statement posted on the McLaren website he could return when it is “the right moment for me to be back in the series.”