Alonso unsure of F1 future with ‘well over the limit’ schedule
Fernando Alonso's contract with AM is up for renewal at the end of the year. As such his name has been bandied around in the discussions for Lewis's replacement at Mercedes plus of course Red Bull and also staying where he is.
However first Fernando will need to decide if he can really be bothered with all the personal commitment that goes with a 24 race calendar.... as such he remains undecided on whether he will continue racing in Formula 1 beyond the end of this season stating the current calendar is "well over the limit".
Speaking ahead of the current campaign, the Spaniard admitted that, physically, he could imagine racing for a number of years to come.
However, the dedication and effort required to do so would be the determining factor.
Alonso himself has suggested the hectic F1 schedule, that includes a record 24 races in 2024, is a significant concern.
Fernando wrote:“I think we’re well over the limit,” he said of the calendar.
“I started that we had 16 races, then it was it was 18 at some point. And then I think when Liberty came, it was like a message that we had 20 one season and that was absolutely the limit, 20 races.
And now we are up to 24.
“This is not sustainable for the future, I think, for everyone.
“Even the world champion [Max Verstappen], thinks that it’s a little bit long, the season.
“Imagine for the rest of us in order to go to the races in the second half for nothing, because there is no incentive to fight for anything.”
Alonso has been linked with a move to Mercedes in place of former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
While there is no guarantee a move to Mercedes would offer better results, history suggests it is a better bet.
“Obviously, I don’t have any contract at the moment, so it’s better to be on those lists than in the other series list, or being on the retirement - ,” Alonso opined.
“But I will make the decision to commit for the future in the next few weeks or few races.
“First of all, I need to speak with myself. I need to make a decision if I personally want to commit for the future.
“I need to sacrifice everything else in life to be 100 percent ready for F1 and that will be the decision.”
“Even the world champion [Max Verstappen], thinks that it’s a little bit long, the season."
“Imagine for the rest of us in order to go to the races in the second half for nothing, because there is no incentive to fight for anything.”
“I want to be in the simulator. I want to be with the engineers. I want to ask 100 percent to an organisation that I know for sure that I will give that 100 percent. If not, I will not commit.
“I don’t know for how long, I don’t know with whom. So, there are many question marks.
“But this is a second stage,” he added.
“First stage of the future it has to be with my own personal decision.”
This is the first time I can recall anything less than total enthusiasm from Fernando.... in the past, to me he has always been in the
"yeah I love racing as much as I can" brigade.... now all the travelling and other non driving promotional commitments seem to be dulling that enthusiasm.
