Fernando Alonso insists his run with McLaren in next week’s Formula 1 test is not a precursor to a comeback.
The Spaniard will drive both days in Bahrain as the British team runs a second car exclusively for Pirelli tyre testing, marking his first serious outing in an F1 car since retiring after last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
But while Alonso has left the door open to a return should there be a “great opportunity”, he was quick to assert that his priorities now lie elsewhere.
“As I said last year, and in Barcelona as well, my idea is not to come back,” Alonso said on Friday.
“When I said bye-bye last year, it was because this chapter is already complete and I achieved in F1 a lot more than what I dreamt of.
“I had great opportunities outside F1 to do things that are unprecedented, so that is why I took the decision, but if something happened and a great opportunity arrived, I would consider.
“I don’t close doors 100 per cent to anything in the future.”
Also Read:
- Alonso hits back after Di Montezemolo questioned his dedication at Ferrari
- Alonso would ‘always say yes’ to a top seat in F1
- McLaren drivers welcome Alonso support in new role
The double world champion is working closely with McLaren’s F1 operation in an ambassadorial role and will, of course, compete at the Indianapolis 500 in papaya orange this May.
But his opportunties are continuing to stack up elsewhere having recently tested a Toyota Dakar Rally car and hinted at a Bathurst 1000 run in Australia’s Supercars series.
“Honestly I’m not missing [F1] too much at the moment as I’ve been very busy,” Alonso stated
“Maybe if I was relaxing at home maybe it was different but I have been testing and preparing different things so there is not much time to miss anything.”
That’s not to say he won’t be taking a keen interest in the task at hand next week.
“On Pirelli, it’s more about testing the tyres and maybe [I will] have a little bit of an idea of what the car is doing this year,” he admitted.
“Being involved a little bit from last year in the development in the car is useful for the team so I hope it’s a productive test.”