By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
There is a lot of debate on Fernando Alonso’s future in Formula One, but he remains content on not making any decision until later this year.
The 35-year-old Spaniard enjoyed a solid outing in the Verizon IndyCar Series for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 under a McLaren-Honda Andretti entry, leading 27 laps before falling victim to an engine failure and finishing 24th. However, he did manage to win Rookie of the Year honors for the event and hasn’t ruled out a potential return.
Speaking to the media in his first race F1 back with the Canadian Grand Prix, Alonso was reluctant to agree that the experience has altered or resolved his plans.
“Not really,” said Alonso at Thursday’s driver press conference.
“I’ve said many times in F1, a third world championship is still my biggest priority. I think I developed my skills to drive F1 cars for the last 16 years, so it’s the best thing that I can drive. The best car that I can drive is still Formula One. It’s another time that I jump in any car in any categories with any tires, with any rules, that I go there and I’m competitive, so I’m not afraid of the future. If I cannot succeed here and win this third world championship, I’m still loving motor racing and I will race in any series. I know that I can win any series.”
An upgrade from Honda was originally planned for this weekend, but to the two-time F1 champion’s misfortune it did not happen. Although Zak Brown, the executive director at McLaren, has given the Japanese engine supplier 90 days to right the ship, Alonso has criteria of his own that needs to be met if he is to remain with the Woking-based squad.
“We have to win,” said Alonso.
“You know, if we are winning before September or something like that I will make a decision and I will stay.”
