Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso left the sport after the 2018 season, saying he had achieved enough in his career and now wanted to focus on other aspects of his life. In an interview, the Spanish driver spoke about his years in F1, the realization of his dreams, and his desire to explore other horizons after devoting his life to motor sports.
Alonso, a former McLaren driver, explained the sacrifices he had to make and expressed that he did not wish to make them again. Just before competing in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he said (via New York Times):
“Formula 1 demands total devotion from your life. Everything else is not important: family, friendships, love. To succeed in Formula 1 you have to dedicate yourself completely, so I think that was enough.”
He also reflected on his early career, as well as the two championships he won, and compared that to what he had imagined for himself:
“The day I made my debut in Australia, I never thought I would end up with a podium. Starting at Minardi and seeing drivers like Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, I was in an environment that seemed too big for me. With the championships and the Grand Prix victories, it’s much better than what I could have dreamed of 17 years ago.”
Alonso also highlighted the character needed to succeed in Formula 1:
“You have to be a character, someone you build over the years. Sometimes you can be a little more humble, sometimes a little rougher, sometimes a little more arrogant.”
When he left the sport, Fernando Alonso had already won two world championship titles in 2005 and 2006. He also had 32 victories and 97 podiums, and had finished second in the championship in 2010 and 2012, narrowly missing the title at every time.
The reactions of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz following Alonso's departure
After 18 years of career in F1, the departure of Fernando Alonso marked other drivers, notably Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. Both competitors expressed sadness at the loss of an important driver for the sport.
In 2018, when Alonso was in his final season, Lewis Hamilton, already a five-time world champion, said (via New York Times):
“It's sad that he leaves as a double world champion, but I don't see it like that. I consider him a multiple world champion, with pure talent that I consider the highest of anyone I have raced with.”
Alonso's departure also had an impact for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who was racing for Renault at the time. Sainz emphasized:
“His talent is undeniable, one of the best in the history of our sport. For the forefront of motorsport to be without its most complete driver, it’s a big loss.”
Interestingly, Sainz added:
“I hope he one day falls in love with Formula 1 again and comes back, finds it a little more attractive, a sport where one driver can make a big difference, which is what we all want. ”
Fernando Alonso effectively returned to F1 in 2021, first with the rebranded Renault team Alpine and then with Aston Martin, replacing retired driver Sebastian Vettel. The 2024 season saw Alonso place 9th in the Drivers' Championship with a total of 70 points.
