After 17 years in F1, Alonso legacy will continue to race on following final bow
Spaniard determined to sign off with a smile at season-ending race
After figuring in more than 300 races and claiming 32 victories, Spanish ace Fernando Alonso will be hanging up his Formula One racing boots when the curtains come down on the season-ending Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
If you have been on the circuit for 17 years then you have seen and experienced it all. Along with the highs and lows, Alonso’s career is nothing less than a blockbuster movie filled with action, emotions and plenty of drama.
The 2001 debut is a distant memory now, but those were years of struggle when he entered the scene driving for Minardi and spending most of the time at the back of the grid. However, all that changed once he switched to Renault in 2003 but not before spending two years testing for them and for Benetton.
Taking a shot at the championship wasn’t easy. The Ferraris, led by Michael Schumacher, were ruling the roost and they were closely followed by McLaren and Williams. Another two years went by until Renault, too, emerged as a force to reckon with and a matured Alonso made his presence felt.
With a car to finally challenge, for the first time in years a driver had risen to put an end to Schumacher’s dominance in the sport. Year 2005 and 2006 completely belonged to Alonso and Renault. With 14 race victories, Alonso had become the most sought-after driver in F1.
Nevertheless, all that changed with him opting to part ways with Renault and join McLaren in 2007 in the company of a rookie driver in Lewis Hamilton — with a huge appetite for success.
When you have two quality drivers fighting for supremacy in the same team, sparks fly. All hell broke loose at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying rounds where Alonso took an over-long pit stop, costing Hamilton precious time and ruining the latter’s chances as Alonso took pole position.
If that incident was not enough, Alonso went on to threaten McLaren boss Ron Dennis that he would forward incriminating emails to the governing body, the FIA, claiming that McLaren were illegally spying on rivals Ferrari. That infamous ‘spy-gate’ incident saw McLaren and their engine supplier Mercedes being handed hefty fines.
Ferrari move
Ferrari was Alonso’s next big switch, but it was also the time when the Red Bull Racing car would emerge as a dominant force. Alonso’s car was certainly no match, but still the championship battles would go down to the wire — mainly during the 2010 and 2012 season when Sebastian Vettel was at his supreme best.
His re-association with McLaren powered by Honda in 2015 never took off. It was always plagued with problems related to car and speed and Alonso was never in a position to challenge the front-runners.
Going out with a great swansong may not be on the cards come Sunday, but the fighter in him will definitely make sure he gives absolutely everything to finish off with a hurrah.
“To enjoy the race will be my top priority,” said Alonso. “I know we are not competitive enough to fight against big teams. But we are fighting with Force India for Constructor’s Championship and it will be nice to finish in front of them. To finish in qualifying perhaps with Q3 will be a dream. It will be nice to do some good laps,” said Alonso, adding, “So far it is a normal weekend, but Sunday it is going to be different. It will get more emotional. There won’t be celebrations till late in the night because I have to be in Bahrain on Monday morning.”
Alonso also didn’t completely rule out the possibility of him making a comeback into Formula one in 2020. “I don’t know what the future will be bring. As of now I’m concentrating on the personal challenges the triple crown (at the Indy 500) and some other races we have next year. For 2020 is further away and it is impossible to think now. Life is long and beautiful and I like Formula one and I will always like it. If I will be here as whatever I will think,” said Alonso.
Sunday it is going to be different. It will get more emotional. There won’t be celebrations till late in the night because I have to be in Bahrain on Monday morning.” Fernando Alonso » Spanish Formula One ace
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Rising British youngster Lando Norris, who will be driving for McLaren in 2019, revealed that he has learnt a lot under the guidance of outgoing veteran driver Fernando Alonso.
“He taught me quite a few things,” said Norris at the prerace press conference yesterday in Abu Dhabi. “One of the biggest things was working with him in Daytona, because I got to see a different side of him. Already, there are things I’ve taken into practice, into the F1 free practice sessions. I’ve been able to learn a lot of things. Apart from the obvious things, working hard, how he talks to his engineers, how they progress, enjoying it and having fun is probably one of the best things I’ve seen.
“We’ve had some good times. We get along really well and can hopefully continue in the future,” he said.
Norris had been promoted to official McLaren reserve and test driver in 2018, replacing Jenson Button. The 18-yearold, the youngest Formula One driver in British history, also revealed that he has plenty to relish before he gets behind the wheels in Melbourne next year.
“I think I’ve got a lot for myself to look forward,” he said. “There are a lot of things that I haven’t done yet to prepare for that first race … the first test of course. These are things I’m sure the team will be able to help me through, and guide me in many ways,” he said.
“I think there are a lot of things for me to be working on, which I’m very excited about. I’m sure I’m going to be busy. It’s not going to be the easiest of winters. But whatever I can do to prepare myself for Australia, the first race … I’ve never been to Australia yet, so there are a lot of things to do,” Norris added.
One of the biggest things was working with Alonso in Daytona, because I got to see a different side of him.” Lando Norris » Formula 2 racing driver