Fernando Alonso outlined plans for his F1 future, saying that he hopes to be around for a while before he leaves.
Alonso returned to F1 after a brief hiatus. He joined Alpine and had a good 2021 season, with his first podium in seven years coming with the team at the Qatar GP.
With the Spaniard being 40 years old, his retirement from the sport is closer than ever. He is thus looking to take it one season at a time, and evaluate his future as and when it comes.
Alonso outlined plans for his F1 future, and said that given the choice, he will compete for two or three years in F1 before making the switch.
“I hope to race two or three more years in Formula 1, then move on to other categories because I love driving,” the two-time world champion said, as quoted by Planet F1. “It would be very hard for me to be out of a car.
“I’m happy to be back and looking forward to next season. I was two years out of F1 but in other competitions, with the WEC, I did the Dakar Rally, I have always had a steering wheel in my hands, so I was not standing still.
“Nothing had changed, everything was the same. F1 is such a small world where it’s always the same people, it doesn’t change much.”
A different El Plan
“When you’re old enough, it’s hard. The first few races (back) I struggled,” he continued.
“The speed at which things happen, the technical side of F1, because in other categories the cars are much more basic. In F1 you have a lot of electronics, aerodynamics, another language with the team, and that was a bit difficult for me. A thousand people in the team for two cars.
“The experience in F1 is good, you know the circuits, but if they put 10 more HP in the engine it doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter if you are 23 or 40…you have the example of Carlos Sainz Sr., who is over 50 and won the Dakar.”
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