Fernando Alonso Is Retiring From F1

Hubert
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Fernando Alonso Is Retiring From F1
https://jalopnik.com/fernando-alonso-wont-race-in-f1-next-year-1828331050

McLAREN CONFIRMS FERNANDO ALONSO DECISION
Fernando will not race in Formula 1 in 2019
https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/fernando-alonso/mclaren-confirms-fernando-alonso-decision/

Fernando Alonso commented:
“After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport, it’s time for me to make a change and move on. I have enjoyed every single minute of those incredible seasons and I cannot thank enough the people who have contributed to make them all so special.

“There are still several grands prix to go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever.

“Let’s see what the future brings; new exciting challenges are around the corner. I’m having one of the happiest times ever in my life but I need to go on exploring new adventures.

“I want to thank everyone at McLaren. My heart is with the team forever. I know they will come back stronger and better in the future and it could be the right moment for me to be back in the series; that would make me really happy. I have built so many great relationships with many fantastic people at McLaren, and they have given me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and race in other categories. I feel I am a more complete driver now than ever.

“I made this decision some months ago and it was a firm one. Nevertheless, I would like to sincerely thank Chase Carey and Liberty Media for the efforts made to change my mind and everyone who has contacted me during this time.

“Finally, I would also like to thank my former teams, team-mates, competitors, colleagues, partners, journalists and everyone I have worked with in my F1 career. And, especially, my fans all over the world. I am quite sure our paths will cross again in the future.”
 
MRC
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Alonso is one of the very few drivers who can haul a car to finish placings it does not deserve IMHO. Leaving for (presumably) Indycar is a major loss to F1, but perhaps he'll be back in 2020.

alonso-indianapolis-500-pose.jpg
 
Pitfitter446
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McLaren.
Oops, shouldn’t eat dinner, watch the news, and try to tinker on the internet at the same time, in my defence I suffer from industrial strength stupidity.

On a note did anyone see the programme on Bruce McLaren’s career the other night?
 
Calibre11
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I have mixed views on Alonso. A brilliant driver, but I agree with the many comments that the guy is just trouble.
- Let's not forget his role in McLaren Spygate when he blackmailed the team, before cutting his contract short
- Left Ferrari with a bad taste
- "Apparently" had no involvement in the Piquet Jnr's Singapore GP crash
- Pushed McLaren to get rid of Honda and Boullier...and then pulls out anyway
 
Hubert
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It's going to be very interesting to see if all these changes work out.

Regardless, I look forward to seeing Alonso on a different Racing series.
 
Mr_Orange
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Calibre11 Calibre11
Wonder if Norris will get the second seat, or whether Vandoorne will get another chance. McLaren do seem to be chewing through their junior drivers (Magnussen, Perez got only one season..)

Vandoorne has a fantastic pedigree and would seem to be worth a second look, even if that means parking Norris somewhere for a year

I am out of touch with F1 in any detail but did watch the McLaren documentary on Amazon Prime recently and agree that Vandoorne getting the nod would be good and would certainly show that McLaren have some faith in him given how excited they were to bring him on board in the first place.
 
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