ALONSO QUITS F1 AND WINS LE MANS

WHERE: F1 PADDOCK AND LA SARTHE WHEN: JUNE AND AUGUST You could probably fill an entire top 50 list of 2018’s defining moments related

just to Fernando Alonso. From the trivial, like him declaring another 15th-place grid spot was his ‘best qualifying lap ever’ or berating the ‘amateur’ driving standards in Formula 1, to larger stories like him winning Le Mans and confirming an Indy 500 return next year. There has certainly been no shortage of Alonso stories this year.

The most significant is probably his decision to quit F1. It was not exactly a surprise after four dismally disappointing – and wasted – seasons at Mclaren, although he hasn’t completely ruled out ever returning to the series. His F1 career, for now anyway, ended with an 11th-place finish in Abu Dhabi in a race that was notable for Alonso continually cutting corners in the closing laps – and receiving three penalties – as he attempted to creep into the top 10. His Mclaren seat will be taken by Carlos Sainz Jr, who was confirmed in an intense period of the driver merry-go-round. Then there was the Le Mans win. While expected given Toyota’s advantage, Alonso, Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi still delivered the goods and finally ended Toyota’s Le Mans drought. And the trio is topping the World Endurance Championship standings, too.