Alonso convinced "now is not the time" to make Ferrari return
On a number of occasions, Fernando Alonso has hinted he fancies a return to Formula 1 in 2021. The Spaniard is currently racing through the Saudi Arabia desert competing in the Dakar Rally. Following on from Charles Leclerc's mega-contract, he believes now is not the time for him to talk to Ferrari.
Once Alonso completes the Dakar Rally, his focus will again turn to the Indy500 as he continues his search for the final piece in motorsport's Triple Crown jigsaw puzzle.
Looking further ahead and Alonso has shown signs that he's eager to make a return following the announcement of the rules and regulations for the 2021 F1 season. Should this continue to be a goal for Alonso then he'd like to have a competitive car. A possible arrival to Ferrari was mentioned a while ago, but Mattia Binotto responded as follows: "That no longer fits our plans."
Before he went to Saudi Arabia, Alonso himself also responded to this possibility, thereby expressing his own doubts about a collaboration with the Scuderia. In a podcast from the Spanish radio station Caneda COPE, he said the following:
“I didn't talk to them [Ferrari]. My time at Ferrari was beautiful, but I don't think this is the right time to return. It is clear that they are betting on Leclerc for the future. Looking at 2021 we have to wait and see who's competitive and maybe Ferrari is not one of the favourites at all," Alonso added.