Alonso’s Three Big Career Mistakes

One way of looking at Fernando Alonso and his career choices is that he has been incredibly unlucky. The Formula One superstar has driven for Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren-Honda. Alonso has indeed made brave and bold decisions, but the last of those looks certain to mean one of F1's most remarkable talents finishes his 17-year career with a low note.

Alonso’s racing career started early in go-karts, building a racing feisty reputation that would stick in his later years. Alonso was fiercely quick and competitive, always a few years younger than his competitors and always making the most of his amateur equipment. Alonso was eventually scouted by a man who he describes as a key part of his career, Flavio Briatore of Benetton Renault F1.

Briatore would carve a path to Alonso’s super- stardom, guiding Benetton to a maiden constructors' title in 1995 and Alonso to a back-to-back Championship. Alonso’s debut for Minardi F1 in 1999 was impressive, especially being the third youngest driver in the history of the sport. By 2005, Alonso's value was rising, quickly filling a void after the departure of Michael Schumacher.

Alonso’s first career mistake – Leaving Mclaren

Alonso was crowned as F1's youngest ever world champion in 2005 and made it back to back in 2006.

But in 2007, he transferred to McLaren Mercedes. But rather than teaming up with Raikkonen or Montoya, Alonso would be partnered by Lewis Hamilton, an extra ordinary talent and a darling of the team from Woking, England.

Alonso expected to be the No. 1 driver at McLaren but Hamilton's impressive speed from the outset made that impossible. Alonso’s plan to get a third title did not work as both he and Hamilton were always in a collision course. Soon enough, he would opt out of his 3-year contract and go back to Renault in 2008.

Ferrari - Right team, Wrong time…

Alonso ‘s one year return to Renault only resulted in two wins and a couple of retirements. The year was also smeared in controversy, one of which was the “crashgate” scandal in the Singapore Grand Prix. This sent Alonso looking for a new team in 2009. It was Ferrari, F1's most successful team, where Alonso would end up next.

But 2009 was Brawn F1’s year while 2010 to 2013 was undoubtedly Red Bull's era.

Sebastian Vettel would win four successive driver titles with Alonso, despite driving the wheels off fairly unimpressive Ferrari cars, finishing second behind the young German three times. At times, it seemed the racing gods were on Alonso’s side, but then he would get DNFs. The most tragic being the Spa incident in 2013 with Grosjean.

Mclaren Again…

McLaren and Honda were back together in reprising one of the sport's most successful and historic team and engine partnerships. This, Alonso believed, was an opportunity not to be missed.

But the rekindling of this relationship that made one of the most successful formula car in history was undoubtedly a momentous error for Alonso’s career.

Honda was a year behind their counterparts in terms of engine development in the hybrid era. Alonso would be retiring in more races than finishing.

Honda was dumped by McLaren as they switched to Renault for the 2018 season, but though that convincedAlonso to stay for another year, it never looked likely to bring the Spaniard to race-winning success again.

He may not see it this way, but it could be argued that Alonso, one of the most natural talents ever in Formula One, could have won more titles with better career decision making.

Indeed, nobody possesses a crystal ball. And for that reason, there can be no great surprise that he decided to call it a day.