Alonso reveals Formula One career will end with McLaren
FeRNaNDO alONSO, whose youthful brilliance usurped even Michael Schumacher in the autumn of his career, yesterday considered a life beyond Formula One.
This full- blooded driver, who has proved himself probably the best of his generation during 15 dazzling yet sometimes turbulent seasons, said Mclaren would be his last team and that when he walks out of the paddock for ever he will barely take a backward glance.
‘i will close the loop on that part of my life,’ he said ahead of Sunday’s chinese Grand Prix. ‘i started with Mclarenhonda when i was three years old — a replica from my father; i will finish with Mclarenhonda, but the real one. That will be one third of my life. it will end with great experiences, great memories, great friendships, but normal life will start the day i retire. i don’t think i’ll become a driver manager or anything. after 15 or 16 or 17 years of Formula One it’s enough.’
Such are Mclaren’s difficulties that alonso (above) may finish his career with two titles, a noble haul but fewer than his talents warrant — and fewer than anyone could have imagined when the Spaniard, then driving for Renault, denied Schumacher a record eighth crown in 2006. But alonso, 33, is almost self-consciously happy about his lot despite leaving Ferrari to join Mclaren, who are struggling for pace and reliability.
‘i was second in the championship with Ferrari three times and i didn’t want to be second for a fourth time,’ he said. ‘if they win the championship, i might have another opinion on leaving. i’ve been lucky to win championships and to win many grands prix, but now sometimes i feel happier and prouder doing the things we are doing now as a team than winning a trophy.
‘There are times when you arrive at a maturity and stage of mind that gives you different priorities in life.’
That was one of the great racers talking as he has never talked before.