Fernando Alonso has hinted at just how long he plans to race in Formula One after his return to the grid in 2021.
Alonso began his Formula One career in 2001 with Minardi before joining the Renault outfit in 2002 as a test driver – he went on to claim the World Title two years in a row with them (2005 and 2006).
Throughout his career in Formula One, the now 40-year-old raced with Ferrari from 2010 to 2014 and then for McLaren from 2015 until his early retirement in 2019.
After taking part in a number of other racing leagues – such as the Indianapolis 500 and Dakar Rally – he returned to the grid in 2021 to race for Alpine – once Renault.
With his second year back on the grid underway, the Spaniard finished in P9 in Bahrain and P16 in Saudi Arabia after a DNF, and has now said he plans on sticking around for a few more years because he still has “a lot to offer.”
“Right now, I am enjoying Formula 1 a lot. I enjoy racing, I am enjoying all the things because Formula 1 is not only the activity on the track, you have a lot of activities off the track and I also enjoy them,” he told DAZN.
“So I think at least two or three years I hope you see me around here.”
Speaking about the strides of improvement the team still needs to make this season, Alonso admitted: “There is still a lot to do.
“I think the mentality changed a lot last year.
“Renault had been struggling in the midfield for the last few years and we think it is time to change this and dream big.
“Alpine has come to F1, we have good leaders now with Laurent Rossi, with Luca de Meo as president.
“We share the same goals, the same objectives, in terms of long and medium-term.
“I think that change of mentality and how each one of the team is hungry for success makes me very happy.”
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