Alonso delays biography to tell the "truth" after retirement
Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso says he has delayed publication of his autobiography until after he’s fully retired, because he wants to be able to tell the ‘truth’.
The Spaniard had originally intended to release the story his life at the end of 2018, after his F1 career had originally appeared to have come to an end.
But with him carrying on competing in both WEC and the Dakar Rally before committing to an F1 return with Alpine this season, Alonso has said it did not make sense to go ahead with the original plan.
And having promised that the book would tell the ‘truth’ about his career – which could include some fascinating insights into his championship-winning period at Renault and his tumultuous time at McLaren in 2007 – he reckons it would not make sense to reveal things while he is still competing.
Speaking ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on an Instagram Live session with his Alpine team, Alonso said the book was definitely going ahead – but would not be out for some time.
“I've been working on a book for a couple of years already,” he said. “I planned originally to send it out in 2018 when I left F1.
“But then we postponed it for quite some time now because I realised that I kept racing in different categories and am now back in F1.
“So I will do it when I stop, and I can tell my own experiences and my own truth of things.
“Because if the book comes out while I'm racing, then maybe it's a little bit strange. So I prefer to finish and then tell my experience of my life in motor racing.”
The Alonso autobiography, titled ‘Racer’, has been listed on bookstores for a while now, and currently has a provisional release date of September 2022.
However, if Alonso says it will not come out while he is competing, then it would be set to be pushed back further because he is contracted to Alpine until at least the end of next year.
The description of the book states: “Written amid asphalt, dunes, obstacles, and ever-higher goals, Fernando’s first and only autobiography, Racer, is a journey through reflections on his life, his world, his dreams, and everything that really matters to him in ways he never has before.
"At its heart this is a story about a young boy from Spain who lit up the go-kart circuits precociously and worked hard all his life to become a champion like none other. A career that spans racing against Schumacher to Hamilton, a life on the track like no other, this is the ultimate F1 autobiography by the ultimate F1 racer.”
Related video
Previous article
2021 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix session timings and preview
Next article
Miami GP resolution passes vote, despite local resident opposition
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Fernando Alonso |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
The AlphaTauri improvements that mean Gasly’s form is no fluke
Pierre Gasly has driven superbly since demotion from Red Bull in 2019, but the team formerly known as Toro Rosso has come on strong too – building a car that can often challenge Ferrari and McLaren. Here Gasly reveals to ALEX KALINAUCKAS how AlphaTauri has given him the tools needed to rebuild his reputation
Why Bottas feels the time has come to be “more selfish”
We’ve seen five distinct versions of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as he’s tried to fulfil his own ambitions while being a consummate team player – two difficult, competing missions which have been challenging to reconcile. Speaking exclusively to Stuart Codling, Bottas explains his highs and lows… and why he still believes he can be world champion.
How long can Verstappen and Hamilton keep it clean?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been evenly matched so far in the 2021 Formula 1 title race. Neither has been afraid to get aggressive against each other on track, teeing up an enthralling contest as the year unwinds. But how long will their battle remain clean? Jonathan Noble ponders that exact point
How Brabham’s one-hit wonder was boxed into a corner
The Brabham BT46B raced once, won once, then vanished – or did it? STUART CODLING reveals the story of the car which was never actually banned…
The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle
Formula 1’s visits to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over recent years have been met with familiar criticisms despite tweaks here and there to the track to improve racing. With the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix largely going the same way, proper solutions need to be followed to achieve F1’s wider targets
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Often described as Formula 1's laboratory, the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona gave the clearest demonstration yet of the pecking order in 2021. And it's the key discrepancies from that order which illuminate who is excelling, and who needs to hit the reset button.
How Red Bull's deja vu set Hamilton on the winning path in Spain
An aggressive first corner move from Max Verstappen appeared to have set the Red Bull driver on course for victory in the Spanish Grand Prix. But canny strategy from Mercedes - combined with the absence of Red Bull's number two from the lead group - allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull off a demoralising reversal
The Barcelona practice times that prove Red Bull has hidden pace
Lewis Hamilton led the way in Friday practice for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix, but there was one major encouraging sign for Red Bull. However, making good on that gain will require Max Verstappen to avoid repeating a mistake that left him well down the FP2 order...
