Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. 21.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest, Hungary, Practice Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Images
Two-time Formula 1 Champion Fernando Alonso has admitted he “would love” to win a third title but claiming that long-awaited championship isn’t his primary objective.
Alonso was crowned the youngest F1 champion ever when he claimed his first title in 2005 with Renault, before backing it up with a successful defence the following year.
The Spaniard missed out on a hat trick of titles in 2007 by a solitary point in a tumultuous year with McLaren.
More near misses occurred in 2010 and 2012 with Ferrari, but now, speaking on the High Performance Podcast,he is no longer concerned with chasing that elusive third title.
“I would love to win the championship once again but it’s not the highest priority,” he said.
“I am enjoying the process, especially now with Aston Martin, to become a contender for the future.
“I’m loving the time with the team how we are all growing up in many different areas.”
Alonso’s journey to Aston Martin has included countless hurdles in the form of underperforming teams, an F1 hiatus and a falling out with a former employer.
When Ferrari ceased to be a title contender, Alonso made the choice to return to McLaren in 2015 amid the team’s new partnership with engine supplier Honda.
However, the Japanese manufacturer’s struggles to develop its hybrid power unit resulted in him eventually walking away from F1 at the end of 2018 to pursue ventures in alternative racing disciplines.
A return to F1 beckoned in 2021 with Alpine – the same Enstone squad that guided him to his two championships – but the two-time F1 title winner quickly became disillusioned with the team’s lack of progress, opting to switch to Aston Martin for 2023.
Alonso, who has scored six podiums so far this season amid Aston Martin’s improved form, is content to help the Silverstone side develop towards an even more competitive future, but concedes he also has one eye on achieving more success outside of F1.
“I am 99% sure I will try the Dakar again, and it’s not that the third world title is less of a priority – it is a priority – but winning Dakar one day is a high priority for me as well,” he added.
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23 leads Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19 at the start of the race. 30.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, Race Day.
Alonso previously competed in the Dakar in 2020 with Toyota Gazoo Racing, finishing a respectable 13th overall and admits winning the event would be something special.
“I will maybe have to attempt that race eight, ten years until maybe one day I get lucky and fight for the win.
“But if I win in F1, endurance racing and Dakar, that will feel for me something special as a driver and as a person.
“So those kind of challenges are in my head at the moment.”
A two-time F1 champion with a World Endurance title, two wins at Le Mans and victory in the Daytona 24 hours will never be enough for one of the most accomplished racing drivers in modern motorsport history, with a competitive drive at the age of 42 that burns as bright as it did when he embarked on his F1 career with Minardi in 2001.
Keyword: Third F1 title no longer ‘the highest priority’ for Alonso