Alonso in quit threat over F1 race increases
DOUBLE world champion Fernando Alonso has vowed to walk away from Formula One if the sport’s new owners push ahead with their plans to extend the calendar to 25 races.
Liberty Media, which took control of the sport in January, is keen to stage at least four grands prix in its native America – with New York, Las Vegas and Miami all under consideration to join the one Stateside race already hosted in Texas.
The French Grand Prix will return next season – with F1 chairman Chase Carey insistent that the sport must not turn its back on its traditional European heartland – while long-term agreements with Russia and Azerbaijan were put in place under Bernie Ecclestone’s tenure.
But Alonso, the 35-year-old Spaniard who is back in the F1 paddock following his exploits at the Indianapolis 500, signalled a warning to Liberty by revealing he would quit if a further five races were added.
His remarks are likely to come as a significant blow to the American giants with Alonso regarded as one of the biggest stars of the sport
“Yes,” Alonso said when asked if he would leave. “I started when the calendar was 16 races, plus the tests, and now we keep increasing the races year after year.
“We are in a number that is quite demanding already with the life you have between the preparation, the sponsor events, the tests, the commitments, plus 20 or 21 races. It’s already enough.
“If there are 25 or 26 races maybe it’s good in one aspect, but bad in other aspects. At this point of my career I consider a good quality of life is more important than to do more seasons in F1.
“So if the calendar stays between 20 or 21, I will be happy to continue. If it’s increasing like NASCAR where they have 40 or 50 races, it is not for me. It is better for other drivers.”
Lewis Hamilton, who sat alongside Alonso in Montreal ahead of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, concurred. “I understand what Fernando is saying and I tend to agree with him,” Hamilton said.
Alonso turned in a remarkable display during his rookie Indy 500 appearance a fortnight ago, and was in contention to win the race before his Honda engine expired with 20 laps remaining.