Just In: F1 star drops retirement BOMBSHELL regarding…read more
F1 star drops retirement BOMBSHELL regarding…read more
One of Formula 1’s most notable figures recently made a surprising announcement regarding retirement, just days before the Mexican Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. This revelation adds an extra layer of anticipation to the weekend’s race, which marks the 20th round of the 2024 F1 season.
As the season intensifies, Max Verstappen is focused on increasing his lead over Lando Norris, having extended the gap to 57 points after the Texas Grand Prix. Both Red Bull drivers, Verstappen and Sergio Perez, are eager to close the constructors’ championship gap with McLaren, who recently overtook them. Ferrari, fresh off a commanding one-two finish in the U.S., is also set to challenge Red Bull and McLaren as they aim for their first world title since 2008.
Further down the rankings, Aston Martin is striving for better results after a disappointing season. The team, led by veteran Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, has struggled to replicate the success of the previous year. However, the announcement of famed designer Adrian Newey’s upcoming arrival in 2025 has sparked optimism for the future. Reflecting on his long career, Alonso spoke candidly during a recent episode of the Beyond the Grid podcast. The 41-year-old, the oldest driver currently competing in F1, is about to reach a milestone—his 400th race in the sport during the Mexican GP.
Alonso, despite his long-standing presence in the sport, has no plans to retire soon. However, he revealed he once came close to leaving F1. According to Alonso, back in 2009, he was almost certain that it would be his final year in F1. He explained that after winning the championship titles in 2005 and 2006 and then signing a three-year contract with McLaren, he had initially planned to step away from racing. “I was 99 per cent sure that 2009 would be my last Formula 1 season. That was my plan – a very clear plan in my head,” he said.
Alonso reflected on his thoughts at the time, noting that he had achieved his dream of becoming a two-time F1 champion and wasn’t sure what else remained for him in the sport. He admitted he didn’t have a clear vision of what he would do if he had retired, mentioning a desire for a normal life, potentially starting a family. However, as he approaches another historic milestone, Alonso’s passion for racing shows no signs of waning, suggesting his journey in F1 is far from over.
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