Can Alonso leave F1 for Endurance?

The recruitment of Fernando Alonso at McLaren-Honda was for him a new attempt to satisfy his ambitions as a driver. Thus, he has so far been optimistic and laudatory about the work done in Woking. He keeps emphasizing it, even recently: « The McLaren-Honda project is a great source of motivation; my first kart was a replica of the McLaren [of that time]. I like this type of challenge, where we start from scratch. » The fifth place achieved in Hungary should thus be seen as a sign of the team’s rise.

However, the Spanish driver, who has just turned 34, seems to be getting tired of Formula 1 and makes it known: *It’s not as exciting as before.* He criticizes, on one hand, that F1 cars are *only 3 seconds faster than GP2*, and on the other hand, that *there are no more tests, limited tires, and an overloaded calendar for next year.* This indicates a real desire to race in other categories.

« The temptation to do something different exists.»” he admitted according to our colleagues from Corriere dello Sport. The alternative seems to be clear here: Endurance racing. Interested in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race for which he had given the start in 2014, he had been approached by Porsche to participate in this year’s edition. Thus, he still knows he can count on the offer from the German team, even to compete in all the championship races of the WEC.

However, in the short term, if the 2016 Formula 1 season indeed includes 21 races as currently planned, it is unlikely that McLaren will grant him any exemption to race elsewhere. A potential disagreement between the driver and his superiors might force him to choose between the two disciplines. That’s what he did this year by opting out of competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he would have teamed up with Nico Hülkenberg.

So, like his friend Mark Webber, will Fernando Alonso end up revitalizing his career by leaving Formula 1 for endurance racing?