Alonso insists he's focused on "challenges" outside F1
Fernando Alonso has played down talk that he is focused on a return to Formula 1 next year, suggesting he can find better ‘challenges’ elsewhere.
The Spaniard is currently free of racing commitments, with his failed Indianapolis 500 assault with McLaren and tenure with Toyota in the FIA World Endurance Championship having now finished.
Amid uncertainty about the future of Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari, recent speculation has linked Alonso with a potential return there next year – and sources have suggested the Spaniard's representatives have been sounding out teams to check on their 2020 plans.
But amid ongoing speculation about his future, Alonso has moved to dismiss the idea that he is now waiting for the F1 driver market to sort itself out so he can make his next move.
"In recent years, what F1 can offer me on a personal level is not attractive enough,” he said during the launch of the eSports ‘Liberbank Challenge’, which he is helping support.
“It was an exceptional stage for me, but today I do not find in F1 the challenges I can get outside it.”
The two-time F1 champion said he had already decided what his next move in motor racing would be, but added it was too early to reveal details.
"I have a clear idea of what I am going to do,” he said. “I do not leave doors open and I am not waiting or looking for anyone to call me.
"I always chose where and when I wanted to race, because I move based on what makes me happy. What I do in the future is in my head and it will be known in due time.”
Alonso also downplayed an assault on the Dakar Rally, despite earning praise from past champion Giniel de Villiers during a recent test in a Toyota Hilux.
"It's an attractive event, the most important, but also opposite to my qualities or way of driving,” he said of the Dakar. “I've never competed on gravel and attempting the toughest rally in the world suddenly would be something extreme."
Additional reporting by Sergio Lillo
301# Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux: Fernando Alonso, Giniel de Villiers
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Fernando Alonso: No timeframe on confirming F1 future
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates
Kyle Busch Remembered: Breaking records and bumping the pace car at New Hampshire
Ryan Preece needs a home run to make NASCAR Chase
Christian Rasmussen storms to career-best fourth in Washington IndyCar qualifying
Bowman Gray to host NASCAR Truck race for very first time in 2027
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Dutch GP sprint race and qualifying
Why Williams problems are worse than previously known
The hidden benefit of Max Verstappen’s new F1 deal that Red Bull wants to exploit
The themes to watch for the rest of F1 2026
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments