Alonso understands Verstappen's retirement wishes: 'That's what I thought at the time'

15:00, 17 Jun 2024
6 Comments

Max Verstappen has repeatedly expressed that Formula 1 is not something he wants to continue until old age. The oldest driver in the field, Fernando Alonso, understands these desires, but thinks from his own experience that the Dutchman might continue longer anyway.

Max Verstappen currently still has a contract at Red Bull Racing until 2028. Whether he will extend his contract after that, the Dutchman himself does not yet know. This will depend on several factors. Fernando Alonso has been active in Formula 1 since 2001. In 2019 and 2020, the Spaniard took a break from the king class, before returning anyway.

Alonso understands Verstappen from personal experience

In an interview with The Times, Alonso explained that he had the same thoughts as Verstappen throughout his career. "That’s what I was thinking when I was at Max’s age," the two-time world champion told The Times. ''I remember it was back in 2007, I signed a contract with McLaren for three years after being World Champion with Renault and I was 200 per cent sure that it was my last contract.'' The Spaniard then left for Ferrari.

After a while, Alonso started thinking about quitting again. This he did, but he still returned in 2021. ''I thought that it was my last season in 2018 and I said ‘bye bye’ to F1, thinking that it was enough for my career. I found, even when I decided to stop, I couldn’t." Alonso said.

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.

6 Comments
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ibohunt 17 June 2024 at 16:18+ 9614

If Max, or other driver want to continue into their 40's they should as long as they bring value to the company they drive for. The teams should be the arbiter on whether they get a contract. The drivers in F1 owe nothing to those younger drivers that want a place.

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Norman DaLeo 17 June 2024 at 16:20+ 461

You must have been reading my mind

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Divergent2 17 June 2024 at 18:27+ 21274

Alonso can still beat anyone in an identical car except Max(will be close between them). I want to see Max, Alonso and Seb/Hamilton in a single team at 24h Le mans. I bet they could have won in Porsche last weekend ?.

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Mech Engineer 17 June 2024 at 15:37+ 55043

..... you do enjoy your driving, no doubt, but do have a thought for the tens of young hopeful drivers in F2 who are hoping to get a seat in F1. They have been karting since probably 6 years old. Their parents would have spent hundreds of thousands of $$ to get from karting to single seaters to F4, F3 and F2, and after more than 10 years of slogging it out, they want a seat to be available, hoping that a driver who has been around for over 20 years will retire and leave an empty seat for them.

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Norman DaLeo 17 June 2024 at 16:18+ 461

Fernando Alonso doesn't owe anybody anything. Fernando Alonso or any other driver has the right to race for as long as there are teams that are willing to give them a seat. This is how the real world works son. Life isn't fair. These kids will just have to be patient and continue to believe they have what it takes and believe they belong in Formula 1 and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it into Formula 1. So it starts with the kids first, not Alonso.

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ibohunt 18 June 2024 at 16:21+ 9614

"This is how the real world works son. Life isn't fair." You managed to offend snowflakes; good on you.