(Motorsport-Total.com) – After more than 400 races, two world championship titles, and over 30 Grand Prix victories, Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 career seems to be slowly drawing to a close: The 44-year-old Spaniard spoke about his impending retirement before the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona (here is the complete schedule).
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“It will be a special weekend, probably my last race in Barcelona in Formula 1. That’s why I want to thank everyone,” Alonso said at the press conference on Thursday. “I will try to enjoy the weekend. It has always been a celebration when we came to Barcelona.”
“I think this is my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and they have all been magical. And yes, this last race must also be magical.” However, the Aston Martin driver’s words are not yet a confirmation that he will hang up his helmet at the end of the year.
The Formula 1 race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is not on the race calendar in 2027 and will only return in the 2028 season. Whether Alonso will still be competing in the premier class then is questionable. “At the moment, I haven’t decided anything yet,” he says.
Fernando Alonso to make decision “after the summer break”
“After the summer break, I will decide whether to continue or not,” Alonso adds. “As you know, Barcelona is not on the calendar next year. If I don’t know what I’m going to do next year today, it’s practically impossible to say what I’m going to do in two years.”
“Basically, I treat every race this season as if it could be my last race at this track: my last race in Australia, in China, or in Monaco. In Barcelona, this feeling might be even stronger because there won’t be a Grand Prix here next year anyway.”
Fernando Alonso was already racing in Formula 1 when …
However, the thoughts of a possible retirement are not difficult for the newly minted family man. “No, that’s not difficult for me,” Alonso says. “The most difficult thing is not whether it’s my last year or not. The most difficult thing is not winning races and not being competitive.”
“Whether this is my last season or not doesn’t particularly affect me personally. I am at peace with my career and my life. Everything that comes now is a bonus. And if nothing else comes, that won’t change how I feel.”
“I have achieved far more in my career than I ever dared to dream of,” admits the two-time Formula 1 world champion. “As a child, when I did my first tests here or was still karting, I never imagined becoming a Formula 1 driver, driving for the best teams, and staying in this sport for so long.”
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Why Barcelona is “a special place” for Alonso
Alonso particularly remembers the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix. “After the 2005 world title, expectations were huge,” the now 44-year-old recalls. “I was on pole position, and everyone expected us to win on Sunday. That memory will probably always be first for me.”
“I did my first test in a single-seater here, that must have been in 1994,” Alonso remembers before his home race. “I also did my first test for Renault and my first test for Benetton here.”
“In addition, there are many other experiences that I will never forget. For example, a lap with King Juan Carlos in the Renault Megane. I still remember that he wasn’t particularly comfortable in the passenger seat – and I myself hardly realized at that moment that the King was sitting next to me.”
“Countless stories have unfolded on this track over the years. That’s why it’s a very special place for me,” Alonso says. However, this year’s race is unlikely to be among the success stories given the current situation.
Aston Martin will “not be competitive”
The first races of the season were anything but easy for Alonso and Aston Martin. “Of course, we are currently not as competitive as we would like to be as a team,” the Spaniard admits. “That is probably the biggest pain we feel every race weekend.”
“But on a personal level, the thought of a possible end to my career is not difficult for me at all.” And although Alonso collected his first championship point of the season in Monaco, he has little hope before what will probably be his last Formula 1 race in Barcelona.
“We will not be competitive, and I will not be able to fight for the positions we all want, neither in qualifying nor probably in the race,” believes the Aston Martin driver. “Nevertheless, I hope the fans enjoy the weekend.”
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