Alonso Does Not Regret McLaren Move

Newly retired driver, Fernando Alonso has said he has “no regrets” over his career moves and “nine out of 10” drivers would have joined McLaren.

As we head towards a Formula 1 season without Alonso for the first time since 2000, the two-time World Champion has offered some further insight into his career and the choices he has made.

“I think in F1 there is always one winner, and all the others are not winning,” Alonso said.

“I’ve been unlucky in some of the races, but without a crystal ball, it’s difficult to make decisions.

“After you finish your chapter, it’s easy to say, but when I joined Ferrari in 2010, I think 10 of 10 [drivers] would have gone in that direction.

“When I joined McLaren-Honda in 2015, all 2014, I’d been hearing that it was a very good decision, because the turbo engine from Ferrari was not good.

“McLaren and Honda had one year of development for free as they were not racing in 2014, and that was a mega decision.

“I’d been hearing good things, and I think nine out of 10 [drivers] would have gone in that direction.”

Alonso can next be seen in action at the 24 Hours of Daytona this weekend as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign gets underway.

The Spaniard is on a quest to clinch the famed and elusive Triple Crown of Motorsport. Very few have actually gone on to achieve it and Alonso could be joining an elite club.

There were also talks that he could attempt the Dakar Rally in the future. Alonso is expected to test a Dakar-spec Hilux within the next month, after contesting the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The approach is to hold a first test “in a controlled environment” for Alonso to experience the sensations of desert rallying, and to compare himself with one of Toyota’s established Dakar drivers to see if it’s a challenge he’d wish to take up.