Fernando Alonso Gives F1 Retirement Verdict: 'I Know I’m In The Closing Side Of My Career'

Tuesday, 31 October 2023 at 14:30

Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso responded to a question concerning his retirement in his recent interview.

Fernando Alonso is the oldest driver on the grid, holding records for the most race starts in Formula One for the most kilometers raced in the history of the sport.

The 42-year-old has announced a retirement from F1 once before at the end of the season 2018. However, the Spaniard made a comeback at the beginning of 2021.

It has become kind of a regular ask the two-time World Champion about retirement plans every once in a while. In the past, Alonso dismissed this question, saying retirement is for drivers who lack performance, and that is not his case.

The Aston Martin driver showed everybody who doubted him he still has what is needed to compete for the race wins when he achieved seven podiums for his team in the 2023 season.

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As of now, Alonso has a contract running until the end of 2024, but he says he would like to compete in F1 even beyond 2024. The Spaniard told Fox Sports:

“"I like being competitive, I like being fast and I hate to lose. So you see it’s not very hard to motivate me once I’m inside the car (laughs). Maybe now I’m a bit weaker than when I was 20 years old, but when you age you know your body way better."”

Alonso shows he can make up for his "older body" as he leads his teammate Lance Stroll by 130 points in the Drivers' Championship.

“"You know which training to do, when you feel tired, what things to avoid, and that is how you make up for it. You make up for strength with wisdom."”

Many Formula One fans wish the Spanish driver to achieve at least one more win in his career. Alonso said he is not thinking about retirement at the moment.

“"For now, no, [I am not thinking of retirement]. I know I’m in the closing side of my career, but for now, I don’t see it. I don’t have a date to put an end to my career."”