F1 News: Fernando Alonso Confronts Retirement - "If I Am Here It's Because I Want To Do Well"
Fernando Alonso has addressed his future in Formula One, stating he needs to evaluate his motivation before committing beyond 2024. The Spaniard highlighted once again his desire to perform at the highest level if he does choose to continue racing.
Key Takeaways:
- Fernando Alonso to assess motivation before deciding on F1 future
- Wants to ensure he can give 100% commitment if he continues racing
- Priorities personal decision before considering team options for 2025
As one of 12 drivers out of contract at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Fernando Alonso has shed light on the factors he'll weigh up in determining whether to prolong his remarkable career. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in Saudi Arabia, the 42-year-old Aston Martin driver explained he needs to feel fully motivated and able to dedicate himself entirely before considering another year on the grid.
"If I am here it's because I want to do well and first of all I need to speak with myself in order to commit," Alonso told Motorsport.com. "I enjoy racing. I love racing. It doesn't matter if I am fighting for a win, for a podium or P12. I dedicate myself 100% for a race and for a team."
The two-time world champion acknowledged he can't simply stay in F1 for enjoyment's sake, stressing his competitive desire to contribute at the highest level for whichever team he drives.
"To do a commitment for the future I need to make sure I can give 100% to that team. If not it would be too egoist from side to just sign and be in F1 just for fun."
Of course, there are personal factors the driver has to take into account, especially with the season being a record-breaking length with an intense travel schedule.
"How I feel, how I go through the first run of trips, planes, time zones differences, physically how I feel, how motivated is the main thing for me," he said.
While speculation has linked him to potential seats like Mercedes and now even Red Bull, the Spaniard is focused solely on making the right personal decision first before contemplating which team to target.
"First I need to make a personal commitment with myself to dedicate myself to dedicate a few more years. If I am willing to sacrifice again other things in life once I make the decision with myself then I try to see what is the best possibility out there.
"At the moment, we're not in that stage yet."