Fernando Alonso is definitely not like everyone else. While the vast majority of drivers sided with Verstappen against the FIA, which sanctioned him with community service after the three-time world champion used inappropriate language during a press conference in Singapore, the Spaniard instead aligned himself with Formula 1’s governing body, believing that drivers must be able to better control their emotions. For him, the growing popularity of the discipline in recent years, particularly among the younger generation, ultimately forces drivers to keep their wits about them and use appropriate language, particularly in press conferences, because they are broadcast and visible by all.
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No profanity in front of the media
“What fans bring to drivers and athletes, I think it’s a huge responsibility because you are a role model for many people”the two-time world champion said at an event for an Aston Martin sponsor in Chennai, India. “So you have to behave.” You have to be willing to be a role model when you want to be one, and when you don’t want to be one, you still have to be one. When you want to say something that is not correct, you have to restrain yourself and be politically correct. » For Alonso, it is necessary to have appropriate behavior, because it is a way of thanking the fans for the support they provide and it is also a way of respecting them through comments that will not offend their sensibilities .
Be models of respect according to Alonso
“I meet a lot of fans around the world who obviously follow Formula 1, but they always say ‘you are my inspiration, you never give up, you are a fighter’. These kinds of things remind you that there are a lot of people watching you and observing how you approach things. So when you are a driver or you are in the limelight, you have to behave well. I think the fans give you a lot of love, motivate you a lot, but they also give you a huge responsibility to do what they expect of you. » These comments are not insignificant, in a context where the FIA has just announced that it wants to limit the use of swear words on the part of drivers, an imperative that Max Verstappen had not respected. During the press conference preceding the free practice in Singapore, the Dutchman looked back on his weekend in Baku, emphasizing that his car was “rotten” to speak politely.
Very quickly, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, condemned this attitude of the triple world champion and sanctioned him with work of public interest. A decision criticized by most drivers, but also by Red Bull, who find this sanction too severe. For his part, Alonso supports this choice, explaining that drivers are watched by millions of people around the world and therefore cannot afford to say everything they think. Explanations that he could never have given since the former Ferrari driver revealed that he had not chosen to be a Formula 1 driver. “I didn’t choose to be a pilot. He was my father, I have to admit. In my case, I did my first go-kart race at the age of three, which you can imagine, I didn’t choose to do that race. My father was very happy that day, my mother less so. »
A passion for football more than for Formula 1 at the start for Alonso
“Then I think you obviously enjoy what you do, you develop skills at a young age and, if you do well, you get more opportunities. You succeed, you win, you pass the categories and finally, you arrive in F1. » The Spaniard initially considered becoming a professional footballer, but his father was so proud of him when he drove karting that he eventually turned to single-seaters. “When I was eight, nine, ten years old, I remember I was running errands on the weekends, but during the week I was at school playing football and I was a goalkeeper. And I remember having more fun playing football than on race weekends. But I couldn’t tell my father. And then in football, there are hundreds, thousands of players. In Formula 1, there are only 20. So, it was more attractive, more exclusive! »
A third world title in sight?
Now aged 43, the Spaniard knows that he is living his last moments in Formula 1. After that, he hopes to achieve new goals, at the family level but also at the sporting level, even if he does not intend to attempt the 500 miles again. ‘Indianapolis at the moment. “I don’t have children: it’s something I want to have, as a personal goal, in the next few years, not too long, I hope. There is this very attractive thing, which is to win the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1, to win Le Mans in endurance and to win the Indy 500 on oval, what we call the triple crown of motorsport. I attempted the Indy 500 three times, without success. It’s the only one that’s missing. »
“But for now, that’s not in my plans.” And after that, because I’ll be 45, 46, I think the commitment it would take to go to the Indy 500, the amount of learning I would have to do again, it would be a little too much. » The Dakar could therefore be the preferred target for Alonso after his career, a career which was long and successful, even if the former Renault driver still hopes to win a third world title before saying goodbye to the world of Formula 1 .
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