Fernando Alonso admits he was “99%” ready to retire from F1 after McLaren move in 2007
Fernando Alonso's 400th GP highlights his enduring legacy in Formula 1, continuing since his debut in 2001.
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Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)
Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion, has won 32 races, stood on the podium 104 times, and claimed 22 pole positions. Despite being 43, he’s still competing at the highest level, showing remarkable determination and skill.
His longevity in F1 is nothing short of inspiring, proving that age hasn’t slowed him down. As he prepares to celebrate his 400th F1 Grand Prix this weekend, this is something no one else has done before. However, he recently shared that he originally planned to retire back in 2009.
Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 with Minardi at just 19 years of age. He secured his maiden race win in 2003 at the Hungarian GP with Renault, becoming the youngest F1 Grand Prix winner at the time. Fernando Alonso then claimed his first World Championship in 2005, breaking another record as the youngest driver to win the title.
He followed this up with a second championship in 2006. The boy from Oviedo mentioned he never planned out a clear path for his career. For him, it was all about driving his first race in the pinnacle of motorsport..
In 2001 I wasn’t thinking too much about the future. I was a driver who was fulfilling his dream: driving in Formula 1, my first race, and I would say that I didn’t have a clear roadmap for my sporting career.
Fernando Alonso told F1 beyond the grid podcast
After winning his second consecutive World Championship in 2006 with Renault, Alonso moved to McLaren in 2007. He signed a three-year contract that would run through 2009. At the time, the Spaniard believed 2009 would likely be his final season in F1 as he had fulfilled his dreams.
However, his time at McLaren didn’t go as planned, with tensions rising between him and rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton. Despite the internal conflict, Alonso remained competitive, missing the title by one point but left McLaren at the season’s end.
I was winging it. Every weekend was a new adventure. When I won the championship in 2006 and came to McLaren, I had a three-year contract: 2007, 2008 and 2009. And I was 99% sure that 2009 would be my last season in F1.
Fernando Alonso stated
Fernando Alonso reveals why he planned to retire in 2009
Fernando Alonso explained that there was no specific reason for his thoughts about retirement, he had already won two championships, which surpassed his wildest dreams. The Spaniard never envisioned racing beyond his remarkable achievements. The 43-year-old signed a three-year contract with McLaren, viewing it as a significant commitment to Woking.
He saw 2009 as his likely final season in F1, feeling the pressure to make the most of his time after achieving his dream of becoming a champion. With that accomplishment, he planned to start a family and live a normal life.
I don’t know. Maybe there was no reason for it, but when I signed that contract, it was a three-year contract and in my head, at that time, it was like a long-term contract. And, okay, three years may seem long, but this is the last one. I had already fulfilled my dream.
Fernando Alonso explained
After driving for over six teams in 24 years, Alonso races his 400th race at the Mexican GP this week. As of the 2024 season, Alonso sits in ninth place in the driver standings with 62 points. While Aston Martin is currently fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, with the addition of tech wizard Adrian Newey to their team starting in 2025, Aston Martin is poised to become a formidable contender on the grid.
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Gaurang Kadam
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