Fernando Alonso admits leaving Formula 1 after 2017 remains a possibility but will wait until the end of the season before considering those options
The Spaniard’s future has been the subject of speculation throughout the year with his contract with McLaren coming to an end and the British team still struggling as engine partner Honda fails to produce a competitive power unit.
Furthermore, a highly successful Indy 500 appearance in May appeared to make a full-time switch to IndyCar a viable alternative should the double world champion be unable to find a suitable seat in F1 next year to meet his ambitions.
“Formula 1 is still my priority, it’s my life, and winning the world championship is what I’m hoping,” Alonso admitted in an interview with CNN.
“If I don’t see any project that will allow me to fight for the win I will look outside F1 but that’s [a decision I will make around] November, December. I will try all the possibilities before that.”
As it stands, however, the 36-year-old’s options in F1 appear limited with the top three teams, that would offer him the requisite opportunities to compete at the front, now looking likely to retain their respective driver pairings for another year.
That would leave him needing to take a risk on a team that could potentially fight for podiums, something he has said he didn’t want, but even those teams look unlikely with Renault lining up Robert Kubica alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Williams set to retain and Force India too.
Therefore, Alonso may face the realisation of McLaren being his best choice in F1 and, given the disappointment of recent years, that is what increases the potential of this being his final year on the F1 grid.
